GambleAware hails success of 'MOSES'

GambleAware has paid tribute to the impact of the Multi-Operator Self Exclusion Scheme (MOSES) formed by the Senet Group. An evaluation commissioned by the charity, which was previously known as the Responsible Gambling Trust, found that 83% of users thought the initiative was effective in reducing or stopping their gambling activity. In addition, 54% of respondents who had excluded themselves from licensed betting offices had also opted out of online betting websites, while 71% had not tried to use any of their nominated betting offices since joining the scheme. Other key findings from the study, conducted by Chrysalis Research, include 86% of respondents understanding it is their responsibility to stay away from the betting shops once they had opted into the scheme, while 21% said it was the responsibility of betting shop staff to keep them out. Meanwhile, 17% of respondents believe they had the right to change their minds about using in-shop betting terminals when signed up to the scheme. In terms of industry staff, most employees felt suitably equipped to explain the registration process and details of the scheme to customers, although some said they needed further guidance and expressed a concern that staffing levels would need to be maintained as more people opted in. Marc Etches, chief executive of GambleAware said: “Self-exclusion is an important tool for people who struggle to control their gambling. “This report makes it clear self-exclusion is more effective when it is combined with professional treatment, which we offer nationally, for free, through the BeGambleAware.org website, or the National Gambling Helpline.” Wanda Goldwag, chair of the Senet Group, added: “The report shows there is significant customer overlap between the current self-exclusion schemes on offer. “Establishing a fully integrated system would enable customers to exclude from any form of gambling with a single click or call; this should surely be our long-term goal. “The same companies who fund MOSES are amongst those investing in an equivalent scheme for online gambling.; it must make sense to look at how far we can go in delivering these schemes in as joined up a way as possible.” Related article: GambleAware appoints new trustees