GambleAware is continuing to increase awareness around gambling harm by setting out specific measures around protecting players from UKGC- and Curacao-licensed operators including Tropic Slots Casino, Libra Spins Casino, and many other brands. Recently, this independent and grant-making charity has announced that they will offer grants to six Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) courses relating to problem gambling programmes.
A call for applications from British universities and scientific intuitions to participate in these three-year gambling-problem-related PhD courses was issued by this UK’s responsible gambling charity. The six grants for the 2021/2022 academic year are dedicated to the PhD studentships and the candidates who are searching for priority measures in problem gambling are the most deserving students.
An opportunity to progress in a developing field
GambleAware is guided by the National Responsible Gambling Strategy establishing to reduce the damages associated with gambling by funding the treatment, education, and research services. As this body’s vision is to promote awareness of problem gambling, the development of the PhD scheme is also its essential duty. It is worth mentioning that the selected students will be 100% funded by the grant-making body.
As stated by GambleAware, the proof of being already implied in the PhD schemes for individuals and businesses must be shown by the universities or institutions that want to host the course. In addition, the applicants are also required to prove that they have already conducted research regarding the negative impacts of gambling particularly in the communities, young people, and those with protected characteristics like disabilities. Allison Clare, an interim research director at GambleAware stated, “This PhD grant award will go direct to universities and will help build a detailed knowledge of the experience of gambling harm within specific communities”.
She also added, “It will also provide a unique opportunity for PhD students, who are at the start of their careers, to develop an expertise in an emerging field. They will have the chance to complete a thorough, in-depth piece of research over several years which will contribute to building the knowledge and evidence of lived experiences of gambling harms.”
One of GambleAware’s high profile projects
Established in April 2016, GambleAware does not only supply prevention, treatment, and education to minimize the damages caused by gambling but the body also prevents and addresses gambling-related issues. This three-year programme’ development is evidence that GambleAware is the grant-making body to support and treat the gambling harm in the UK. The decision to fund a three-year PhD course comes after GambleAware revealed its donation from April 1 to June 30, 2021. In fact, the grant-making body affirmed to receive the total amount of £2.3m from voluntary charities from the gambling industry, excluding regulatory settlement, and other donations.
Previously, one of the worthwhile projects led by GambleAware was the funding of the project to offer residential rehabilitation for people who are experiencing a gambling-related problem. This tender to fund a £1m pilot project for residential rehabilitation for people who have suffered from gambling issues was closed on July 16. PhD is an academic degree focusing on original data analysis, research, and the evaluation of theory. The six grants from the independent charity are, therefore, one of the major keys to help minimise the risks that can come from impulsive gambling behaviours.
Conclusion
As GambleAware has been active in conducting studies, iGaming courses, and carrying out research into the harmful effects of gambling, funding PhD courses is a part of its activities. The body shared in July details of a study showing that problem gamblers usually spend more money on non-gambling activities compared to non-gamblers.
This means, to help to achieve the organisation’s vision, they have to provide more information and broaden public knowledge regarding the harm associated with gambling. GambleAware’s three main visions consist of three main points including research, education, and treatment. This PhD courses fund is classified in the research category to enlarge harm related to gambling health by offering grants to six PhD schemes.
