As more and more operators take note of the importance of responsible gambling initiatives, the guests on the Kahlil Philander podcast discussed the importance of ensuring different initiatives and treatment programmes are tailored to the requirements of different groups.

Who is it?

Moderator – Dr Sally Gainsbury, Director of the Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic at the University of Sydney.

Guest – Dr Simone Rodda, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Public Health at the University of Auckland

Guest – Dr Minal Jain, RecoverMe

What is being said?

Detailing why she believes that responsible gamlbing initiatives should be ‘tailored not shrunk’, Dr Rodda said: “What seems to have happened in the last two years is that we’ve developed packages that take a long time to develop that are based on what was done in person or face to face. 

“We’ve then cut that back for people with low levels to moderate levels of problem gambling, or who are behaviorally conditioned without the other comorbidities, and what happens is they don’t do the programme. They might start, they do one or two modules, and then they go. There’s a lot of evidence that suggests that they are not fit for purpose.”

She concluded: “It really speaks to tailoring things to what we are trying to do, rather than shrinking things.”

Agreeing with Dr Rodda’s point regarding tailored treatment, Dr Jain added: “That’s what we found as well throughout our journey – it’s about engaging the right sorts of users. But equally what we think is super important is patient choice, and that sort of translates across the sphere. When we’re seeing people in primary care for things like depression or anxiety, we’re able to offer them a multitude of options for receiving that treatment.

“What we do in the NHS is we use the step care model, that can take the form of improving access to psychological therapies, that can take the form of digital tools or face to face, and if they need more intensive programmes, we can direct them to specialist tertiary centres that can offer that.”

Why should I watch it?

To hear insights from experienced medical professionals specialising in problem gamblng and gambling related harm discuss the dynamics of responsible betting initiatives and treatment programmes.

Where can I see more?

Source – Kahlil Philander YouTube Channel