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GambleAware commits £3m investment for new Gambling Harms Awareness and Support training programme

Published

5 years ago

September 13, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

GambleAware has issued an Invitation to Tender to develop and deliver a new Gambling Harms Awareness and Support training programme across Great Britain.

The programme aims to increase awareness and knowledge of gambling harms amongst professionals and community leaders who work or volunteer in eight sectors: debt advisors, faith leaders, primary care, social care, occupational health, criminal justice settings, housing and homelessness services and community pharmacies.

Currently, people working in these settings may lack sufficient awareness, knowledge, and skills to identify gambling harms or provide the appropriate support. But because members of the public may turn to them for help and advice, they can be well placed to offer early interventions and help reduce gambling harms in the community.

The programme is expected to provide the tools required to effectively identify and support individuals experiencing or at risk of experiencing gambling harms. Investing £3m over a three-year period, GambleAware anticipates the training will encourage earlier intervention and will, in turn, facilitate a reduction in gambling harms.

Upskilling professionals and community leaders through the new training programme will also contribute to expanding the National Gambling Treatment Service (NGTS) provision and promoting a whole-system, community-based approach.

GambleAware is seeking bids from qualified organisation(s) to develop and deliver the training and resources, in collaboration with and building on GambleAware’s existing networks, on a national and local level, across England, Scotland and Wales.

The selected bidder will work with and alongside existing and future providers of training on gambling harms awareness and intervention, playing a convening and collaborating role to bring together providers, fostering an environment of mutual support and development, rather than one of competition.

This new commissioned programme will be in addition to GambleAware’s current portfolio of training and educational resources; with an increased scope, it will reach more people geographically and be tailored to meet the needs of specific groups.

More information about the programme of work and Invitation to Tender is available here. The deadline for applications is 12pm on 5 November 2021.

Those who would like more information or are interested in applying, please email [email protected].

GambleAware is currently commissioning another work to expand the Scottish Gambling Education Hub Service, aimed at young people, to England and Wales.

Alona Shevtsova

Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova moderates Global Gaming Expansion panel in Riyadh

Published

8 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

sends-ceo-alona-shevtsova-moderates-global-gaming-expansion-panel-in-riyadh

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will moderate a panel at The Blockchain show on 29^th June, bringing together experts from entertainment, location-based gaming, and content localisation to examine what it takes to build sustainable gaming ecosystems across emerging markets.

The panel, titled “Global Gaming Expansion: Lessons from Untapped Markets,” will structure its discussion across four themes: the growth dynamics reshaping emerging gaming markets; the role of localisation in creating experiences that genuinely connect with new audiences; the infrastructure and communities needed to build gaming ecosystems beyond the game itself; and the lessons and opportunities that will define successful expansion in the years ahead.

Alona Shevtsova plans to frame the discussion around the central challenge for companies looking to expand globally: entering a new market requires far more than bringing an existing product to a new audience. Understanding local cultures, building communities, adapting experiences, and creating ecosystems that allow gaming to grow sustainably are all as important as the product itself.

Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, said:

“The future growth of gaming will come not only from new technologies, but from understanding people — their cultures, communities, and the experiences they want to be part of. Successful expansion will belong to those who can combine global ambition with local understanding.”

The first segment will examine why regions including the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia are becoming increasingly significant for developers, operators, and investors — driven by young audiences, accelerating digital adoption, and new entertainment models creating substantial growth potential. Panellists will explore how consumer preferences differ across markets and what trends among younger audiences are shaping the future of gaming and entertainment.

The third segment will broaden the lens beyond the game itself, exploring the role of location-based entertainment, gaming centres, esports, and experiential destinations in attracting new audiences and building long-term communities. Panellists plan to address how entertainment ecosystems — spanning physical venues, events, and community infrastructure — accelerate gaming adoption in markets where the category is still establishing itself.

Earlier this month, Alona Shevtsova was shortlisted for the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Established Business of the Year category. Her team is also preparing for the Fintech Connect conference in London later this year. Sends will be a leading sponsor of this event.

*Sends is a trade name of SMARTFLOW PAYMENTS LIMITED, registered in England and Wales (Company No.11070048). For more information, visit sends.co .

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