The Tribune

Bahamian web shops have teamed with the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) to host a free all-day gambling addiction seminar at month's end.

The symposium is scheduled for the Church of God of Prophecy, Joe Farrington Road, on Wednesday, October 31, starting at 8.30am.

It aims to educate and create awareness about the need to game responsibly, and will provide information to the Bahamian public on the kinds of assistance available to help those "at-risk" patrons who may abuse this entertainment.

The symposium will also highlight the partnerships that the Bahamas Gaming Operators Association (BGOA) has forged with professional organisations and individuals who are qualified to speak on - and provide solutions to - gambling addiction.

The Association forged its partnership with the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre in May this year, in a bid to increase capacity building and facilitate the up-skilling of professionals trained in the area of addiction. This aims to make them internationally certified, especially in the area of gambling addiction treatment, rehabilitation and recovery.

Since establishing this partnership, the Association has provided $30,000 in sponsorship for five professionals from Sandilands to receive this specialised training and qualifications via courses in the US. Those persons are expected to complete their training this December.

The BGOA added that it has implemented a responsible gaming policy, with programmes now standardised across all operator members. "The BGOA recognised that in a highly regulated environment, and in keeping with international best practices, it was obliged to ensure a safety net was in place to help those patrons who may need assistance and/or would require professional intervention to treat their disorder and at no cost to them," the Association said.

"The global standards of responsible gaming policies and programmes in the US and the UK formed some of the foundational pillars for The Bahamas' domestic gaming industry's own responsible gaming initiatives. The industry believes in the protection of its patrons by ensuring they are aware and educated on all aspects of how to enjoy gaming both responsibly and in moderation."