An article published earlier today in Bingostreet news section reports about the huge fight going on in the UK about online gambling. As online bingo enthusiasts this affects us all, but it is a controversial subject.
A new NHS clinic is being opened to care for problem gamblers who suffer from addiction to gambling. The main problem facing the clinic is funding, and who should do the funding. The clinic has funds to operate for a year, but the future after that is in jeopardy.
The 2005 Gambling Act made pretty sure that all online bingo operators, online casino operators etc., who wanted to operate in the UK had be regulated, and were also subject to increased revenue tax - all great news for the Treasury.
But where has all this money gone? Organisations like Gamcare, which is already funded by the online bingo industry among others, is fighting against the RIGT trying to find an answer to the funding problems for clinics such as these.
The Gambling Commission, also funded partially by the online bingo and casino industry, has little support from the apathetic government since the super-casino fiasco, and doesn’t really know what’s what.
So who should pay? The online bingo and casino industry, plus the land-based industry is already paying huge taxes, plus has donated £250,000 to the clinic already. As an NHS clinic shouldn’t the government be funding the rest?
Personally, I believe that the biggest problem is getting society (and the government) to recognise that addiction to gambling, as with any kind of addiction, is a serious condition that requires treatment. Once they get that into their thick heads then we can all get on with our daily fix of online bingo fun.
Written by Bingo Lady
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