GA 'could hold sessions in Dumfries and Galloway'

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Home » News » Gambling » GA 'could hold sessions in Dumfries and Galloway'

by Change | 8 Dec 2008

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Gamblers Anonymous is to hold public meetings to assess demand for its services in the Dumfries and Galloway area.

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) will hold a public meeting in the Dumfries and Galloway region to assess interest in its sessions, a source reveals.

The number attending will be assessed to see whether there is enough support to warrant setting up regular meetings for those with betting dependencies, the Sunday Herald reports.

Stranraer, a town in the region, is to be the home of the country's largest casino, which could raise the risk of locals developing a gambling addiction.

According to the news provider, GA holds 30 meetings every week in the Glasgow area, which is the host of Scotland's biggest gaming site.

The organisation planned the public gathering after being called to the area by Russell Brown, a local Labour MP, after he discovered those wanting to attend meetings had to travel 75 miles, to Carlisle.

Gerda Reith, an expert in gambling addiction at Glasgow University, claims the government should have established provision for those affected by the condition.

"It shouldn't be up to voluntary organisations like GA to do it. GA works really well for some people, but not for everyone," she tells the source.

Last month, the NHS announced it would be opening its first centre focusing on gambling addictions.

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