Progress on problem gambling 'patchy at best'

The capacity of health services to deal with problem gambling is "severely under strain", according to a gambling watchdog.

In its annual report the Jersey Gambling Commission said provision was "patchy at best" and greater coordination with public health was needed.

While conversations with Public Health were described as "positive and engaging", the commission said they had been "decidedly light on output".

Health minister Tom Binet said work was already underway to raise awareness of how and where people could access mental health services in relation to problem gambling.

Jersey does not have a bespoke service to deal with problem gambling.

Instead, people are signposted to mental health services, UK charities and helplines or considered on a case-by-case basis by the commission.

Jersey Gambling Commission's chief executive Dr Jason Lane said "avenues for assistance remain few".

He said some private counsellors had expressed interest in providing support, but "it will never be better than delivery through the health service and the continuity of care that it provides".

Lane said: "The signposting for it [problem gambling] is not necessarily as clear as it could be, and certainly the capacity of the health department to deal with it is severely under strain, as it is across the piece in every sector of health."

In the report, the outgoing chair of the commission Cyril Whelan said "the past ten years has seen improvements, but they have been patchy at best".

"I cannot help but think that a more coordinated commitment with Public Health in particular could have delivered more," he added.

Despite those concerns, Whelan said he believed the "understanding of gambling addiction as an issue requiring a public health response is now accepted".

He also commended the efforts of mental health services to provide support.

The commission has previously called for a specialist gambling addiction treatment centre and for a gambling therapist.

James Grimes from the charity Gambling with Lives said "there deserves to be specialist support and treatment locally".

He said: "There also deserves to be full public information about the risks and harms of gambling.

"Every young person should be educated about gambling harms."

The Government of Jersey described the number of people at risk of problem gambling as a "small proportion".

Health minister Tom Binet said he recognised the importance of working in a "coordinated, collaborative manner" with the commission, wider industry and other service providers.

He suggested the focus should be on identifying how best to prevent harm and providing support to people experiencing problem gambling and their families.

He said work was "already underway to raise awareness of how and where people can access mental health services and support".

One local bookmaker, Joe Jennings Ltd, said staff were "trained to recognise signs of potential gambling harm, interact with customers where appropriate and provide information about the support available".

The bookmaker said it operated a self-exclusion scheme and reported attempted breaches to the Jersey Gambling Commission.

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