As Safer Gambling Week draws to a close, Dr Jane Rigbye, CEO of Ygam, takes a moment to reflect on the significance of the campaign and the ongoing efforts to promote responsible gambling. While acknowledging the positive strides made in raising awareness, Rigbye emphasizes the need for continuous commitment to safer gambling initiatives throughout the year. In this reflection, she underscores the pivotal role of collaboration among stakeholders to effectively address and reduce gambling harms.
Importance of Responsibility:
Rigbye underscores the paramount importance of responsibility in the gambling industry, asserting that the principles upheld during Safer Gambling Week should be integral to the industry’s daily operations year-round. Responsible gambling practices, Rigbye contends, must be ingrained in the industry’s ethos to create a sustainable and safer environment for all participants.
Ygam’s Role in the Larger Context:
Acknowledging Ygam as a vital contributor, Rigbye positions the charity’s services as a crucial component in the broader landscape of gambling harm reduction. However, she emphasizes that Ygam represents just a “small piece of a much larger jigsaw,” necessitating a unified effort from all stakeholders to bring about substantial change.
The Need for Collaboration:
Rigbye articulates a call for collaboration, asserting that collective action is essential to meaningfully reduce gambling harms. This collaborative approach, she contends, requires commitments not only from operators but also from government bodies, regulators, charities, trade organizations, academics, and all entities dedicated to preventing gambling-related harm. Rigbye underscores the collective potential to achieve more significant impact when diverse stakeholders join forces.
Ongoing Commitment Beyond Safer Gambling Week:
While Safer Gambling Week serves as a focal point, Rigbye stresses that ongoing commitment and sustained efforts are crucial. The reflections prompt a consideration of how the industry can maintain the momentum generated during the campaign and integrate safer gambling practices seamlessly into day-to-day operations.
Dr Jane Rigbye’s reflections on Safer Gambling Week serve as a reminder of the collective responsibility to prioritize safer gambling practices. The call for collaboration resonates as a key theme, highlighting the need for a unified front to address gambling harms comprehensively. As Ygam continues to play its role, Rigbye’s message echoes a broader imperative for sustained, collaborative action to foster a safer and more responsible gambling landscape.