Leading online gaming software provider Microgaming is rallying behind Safer Gambling Week (October 17 to 23).

The industry-led event aims to stimulate conversation around safer gambling, while driving awareness of tools and resources that are available to people who believe they may have a problem.

As a leading provider of online gambling platform software, Microgaming takes its responsibility to ensuring players have access to such resources very seriously.

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Through its corporate responsibility arm PlayItForward, it backs several organisations and charities that provide support and assistance to people who have experienced gambling harm.

These include the Gordon Moody, the UK’s number-one charity dedicated to providing support and treatment for gambling addiction. The charity aims to help people reclaim and rebuild their lives through recovery in a safe, supported environment.

PlayItForward recently helped Gordon Moody to create a comfort fund for affected others, as well as donating towards the purchase of new furniture to help treat more people.

PlayItForward also recently donated to digital mental health treatment service Anonymind, funding treatment and therapy courses for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.

Meanwhile, a financial contribution to Betknowmore UK, a leading provider of gambling support and training services, helped the group undertake valuable new research into support systems for women. This has led to a new gender specific support service for women called New Beginnings.

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PlayItForward has also helped to fund treatment and provide a comfort fund for service users of Motiv8, an Isle of Man based charity offering addiction counselling.

Andy Clucas, Microgaming CEO, said: “Responsible gaming has always been a key focus for Microgaming. Safer Gambling Week offers us the perfect chance to highlight Responsible Gaming charities who do amazing work in the field of problem gambling treatment and research. Importantly, people who may be struggling with gambling issues need to know there are lots of organisations who can offer support and help them regain control of their lives.”

Rob Mabbett, Director of External Engagement at Gordon Moody, said: “Having a family member in treatment for gambling addiction can add extra pressure to the lives of their families. PlayItForward donations from Microgaming help our Comfort Fund bring respite to our service users’ families. From days out for their children to birthday or Christmas cards or presents, the Comfort Fund assists families to find peace of mind while their loved ones access therapy for problem gambling.”

Andy Atha, COO, Anonymind, said: “The PlayItForward donation provided earlier this year has led to several individuals being provided with convenient, effective digital treatment directly from a psychologist at their time of need. Gambling harm affects people in many different ways mentally, physically and financially and without donations like this, we would not be able to continue offering the most effective treatment to those individuals who need urgent help.”

Matt Smith, Head of External Affairs Betknowmore UK, said “The collaboration with Microgaming PlayItForward has enabled us to undertake research which highlighted the challenges that face women who want to access help and support for their gambling issues. In response, we have launched a new service called New Beginnings, which is a peer-led support programme. We have found that when engaging in groups women generally find them to be life-changing, giving them confidence, friendships, role models and tools to help them manage their recoveries.”

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