Paul Bellringer was a pioneer in driving forward a safer gambling philosophy. GamCare the charity he launched in 1997 led a national cohesive approach to responsible gambling.  With a core objective to serve as a critical friend of the industry,GamCare gained the respect and support of key industry trade associations notably Bacta. 28-years on Paul believes that there’s a realisation that a safer gambling approach is good for business.

What does it mean to you on a personal level to be invited back to officially open the Safer Gambling Hub at EAG?

On a personal level, being asked to open the Safer Gambling Hub for the second consecutive year reflects the positive relationship I, and GamCare, built with the industry. Too much criticism is made of gambling without any understanding of how deeply it is ingrained in the human psyche and that  balancing the need to provide this leisure activity without exploitation demands a compassionate and understanding business model. Huge strides have been made by the industry since I became first involved some 45 years ago and promoting safe gambling at a major trade exhibition is a good example of progress.

How do you view safer gambling features at exhibitions – as a nice to have, a good to have or essential to have?

In my opinion it is essential. The gambling industry needs to take every opportunity to demonstrate that they genuinely see safer gambling initiatives as integral to their business strategy.  First and foremost, they aught, as purveyors of an activity that creates a great deal of pleasure but for some causes huge problems, to be doing so and, secondly, it makes absolute business sense.

How do you hope that EAG visitors will use it?

I would like to think the Safer Gambling Hub will be visited by a large cross-section of industry representatives and that they talk with all organisations that make up the Safer Gambling Hub.  Assuming there will also be a large number of visitors at the exhibition interested in the gambling opportunities and amusements on display I hope that they too will engage with Safer Gambling Hub staff and that those conversations inform their buying or playing decisions.