Chapter One Expands Across UK to Combat Gambling Harm
On Wednesday, March 19, Chapter One, a program that provides information and support for those negatively affected by gambling, officially launched as a nationwide organization in the UK.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The event, held in Parliament, was attended by Members of Parliament, Peers, experts, and individuals with personal experience of gambling-related harm.
Originally developed by Gambling with Lives, a charity founded in 2018 by families bereaved by gambling-related suicide, together with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Chapter One will now offer its services across the UK.
As part of the launch, Chapter One introduced a “Ten Point Plan for Gambling Harm Prevention”, which was created in collaboration with London South Bank University (LSBU). The plan focuses on reshaping the conversation around gambling, shifting away from the traditional message of responsible gambling toward a public health approach. It aims to provide clear information about the risks associated with modern gambling, as well as guidance on accessing support and treatment.
Among the plans key proposals are mandatory education on gambling risks for all school children, training for frontline health professionals to support those affected, and public awareness campaigns to provide factual information on gambling harm.
High-Profile Support for Chapter One
The launch event featured several speakers, including Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones OBE, the National Clinical Advisor on Gambling Harms at NHS England, and Dr. Beccy Cooper MP, a public health expert and Labour MP for Worthing West. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, also endorsed the initiative, which comes after a successful two-year pilot program in the region.
People with firsthand experience of gambling harm, including families who have lost loved ones to gambling-related suicide, have played an important role in shaping Chapter One’s resources. Their insights mean that the initiative is informed by real-life experiences and can help prevent further tragedies.
James Grimes, the Director of Chapter One, spoke about the urgency of the issue:
Far too many people, myself included, have been harmed by gambling. Although there is now more support and treatment for gambling harm than ever before, only a small fraction of those harmed access help, with a lack of awareness about the addictive nature of modern gambling. Chapter One is here to change that. Our message to anyone harmed by gambling is clear: You are not alone. This is not your fault. Free, confidential help is available.
More Responsible Gambling News
Gambling Harm Identified as a Major Suicide Risk
The Department for Health and Social Care’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy lists gambling as one of six key risk factors for suicide in the UK. The strategy claims that, in some cases, gambling can be a decisive factor in a person’s death.
Additionally, new NICE guidelines introduced earlier this year recommend that healthcare professionals routinely ask about gambling during health assessments.
Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones spoke about the need for initiatives like Chapter One and said that they are “crucial to empower people to understand gambling harms and get the right support in place.”
RELATED TOPICS: Responsible Gambling
Latest News
Most Read
Must Read
Interviews
Sweepstakes Casinos: Thriving in an Ever-Changing Industry – Interview with Attorney Stephen C. Piepgrass
Feb 17, 2025
Interviews
Review this New Post
Leave a Comment
User Comments
Comments for Chapter One Expands Across UK to Combat Gambling Harm