Online Multi-Lingual Help For Problem Gamblers

Published: Saturday, March 10, 2007 Online-Casinos.com

ONLINE MULTI-LINGUAL HELP FOR PROBLEM GAMBLERS

Trained advisors will respond to troubled gamblers

British gambling support charity The Gordon Moody Association (GMA) will launch the first-ever multilingual service to problem gamblers on 12 March at www.gamblingtherapy.org.

Launched ahead of the UK government's new gambling licensing laws due in September this year, the service will be manned by a highly trained, multi-lingual team of counsellors and advisors, who will be able to translate and offer help and advice to emails in 13 different languages, with support for more languages imminent.

Kevin Farrell-Roberts, Chief Executive of the GMA, formerly the Gordon House Association, explained, "Problem gambling is a widespread issue that unfortunately suffers from a lack of internationally-accessible support. The launch of our multi-lingual service, brings the GMA to the forefront in providing help to cultural groups that have previously had no access to gambling support. Our extension of support will help more people across the globe who are affected by problem gambling."

As part of this initiative, the GMA, together with existing supporters such as gambling groups Betfair and William Hill, is calling for widespread international adoption of responsible gambling measures. Through the inclusion of the GMA's 'STOP!' sign, an online link to the Gambling Therapy e-helpline, online operators can help showcase their support for the cause.

Betfair is the first to display the STOP! sign. Kate Stewart, Social Responsibility Manager at Betfair said, "We are committed to supporting the GMA's efforts in a bid to help those who gamble irresponsibly. We are extremely proud to be the first operator to show our dedication by displaying the STOP! sign on our website, and hope the rest of the industry joins us in taking such steps to tackle problem gambling."

The charity has recently re-named itself in honour of its celebrated founder, the Rev. Gordon Moody, M.B.E. (1912-1994), who first established Gamblers Anonymous in the UK before later founding The Gordon House Association.