What if my county don't have Count Me Out Scheme and another question

[oliverjones]

I'd like to ask that if my county don't have the Count Me Out scheme
going on and I wish to exclude myself locally and nationally - what do I need to do to get myself sorted as I have tried many gamcare meetings, 1 to 1 counsellors and gambling rehabilitation. I feel Count Me Out will benefit me hugely to allow me to be on the path to recovery.

Also can the premises ask me to leave if I come in with a friend I trust to keep me off it- as I'm thinking of joining the scheme for a hefty 5 years but If I want to play pool or just drink or out in the pub for special event from work - would that be acceptable? Just thinking ahead.

Please reply asap as I want to do something about it fast and something to benefit myself and have a happier life and treat myself to a decent holiday.

Oliver.

[Admin]

Hi Oliver,

What county are you from?

The Count Me Out Gambling Self Exclusion Program is a national scheme that we are trying to introduce borough by borough. Public support is very important and if you would like to help in your local area that would be great.

Self exclusion is a big step to take. Unlike our alcohol self exclusion where you are allowed in to a premises but will not be served alcohol with the gambling scheme you are banned from entering the premises.

This exclusion from the premises is a requirement of the Gambling Act.

Please stay in touch and good luck with your self exclusion if you decide to take one out.

Regards,
Gary and all at Empowering-Communities

[oliverjones]

I'm from the Cumbria county.

I've already emailed my Council, my M.P. and my local paper to try and promote the scheme as I do want to get myself excluded from gambling
premises - it's that big a problem that I need to cut myself off completely
from gambling.

Just reading the site and thought the scheme of exclusion works both
locally and nationally - hoping my thought there was right.

Oliver.

[Admin]

Oliver,

You are right; the scheme does work locally and nationally. I will email you our latest Newsletter so that you can forward it on to your local MP and licensing Department. Our intention is to roll the Count Me Out Gambling Self Exclusion scheme borough by borough.

If you go to the Empowering-Communities home page you can download our January Newsletter from there.

You should also read this post and make them aware of it:

http://www.empowering-communities.org/forum/showthread.php?p=62#post62

I am looking for some 'Community Champions' to help promote the benefits of a National Self Exclusion Scheme. It would be great to have you on board. Let me know what you think.

Regards,
Gary

[oliverjones]

Sorry for the delay.

I'm getting worst and worst and deeper into my financial problems so
please advise me what to do to get the council knowing about the
count me out scheme ASAP!

Thanks

Oliver Jones.

[Admin]

Hi,

I have sent you an email. Have a look at this link:

http://www.countmeout.org.uk/gamblin...ion/index.html

We need to raise awareness of this project in your local area.

Gary

[oliverjones]

Thank you. I'm now trying to think how to spread the word across by
getting petitions for the council to see how many people really want
this scheme to work across Cumbria.

Could you kindly send me some links where I can impress someone
about the scheme with in that 10 second time frame so that
people will take interest and sign up?


I'm thinking of trying petitions for Penrith and Carlisle.

Just wondered if John from Cumbria from the Community Buddy
could help me out too.

Thanks.

[Admin]

Hi,

I have copied some wording from our short presentation below. You are thinking along the same lines as us, the best way to get the Count Me Out system into your local community is to get the backing of the local authorities.


'The current system of providing self-exclusion solutions to problem gamblers is fragmented and divided. Each operator has their own separate system which means they cannot legally share data with other interested parties or link up with other operators to provide a proper and effective service to gamblers who wish to self-exclude from more than one gambling opportunity.
By introducing the Count Me Out system into a whole community, problem gamblers will be able to self-exclude themselves from all gambling opportunities in their area, minimising their chances of failure during their self-exclusion period.
The most effective way to introduce and make the scheme sustainable is to offer it to operators on a voluntary contribution basis. This helps both the operator and the problem gambler and all interested parties who are tasked with monitoring the effectiveness of self-exclusion and collating information on problem gambling statistics in the UK'.

Some other benefits to statutory bodies:

Maximum local participation in the Count Me Out National Self Exclusion scheme will give an area an accurate community database of self excluded persons. Your region would be able to:

• Collate information on the number of self-excluding problem gamblers in a specific area
• Receive data on the location, gender and age of the problem gamblers
• Know the gambling sectors that a person has self excluded from
• Evidence what a community is doing to help their problem gamblers
• Find out when a problem gambler is trying to breach their self exclusion agreement and intervene to provide help and support at a crucial stage
• Have a national overview of self excluded persons
• Legally share information between gaming operators and statutory bodies

Please let me know if you require some help or more wording. You can call me 01502 576888.

Regards,
Gary

[oliverjones]

Sorry Gary,

I've not had much of a chance to inform the press about this scheme
yet- I've not yet had the backing of the local authories but despite me
writing to them I'm still due to write back to a few regarding their
views that they don't see gambling does create crime just as much as
drugs does.

I'm not good with my wording so would it be okay to do some proof
(I'm getting my internet back next week) and send them to you?

By the way-I forgot to tell you over the phone...I've not gambled
for over 1 month and a half- this prove that self-exclusion does work
when you put your heart into it.

Hope to speak to you soon,

Oliver Jones.

[nwosteve]

hi guys...did not know this scheme existed till i went into a firstbet shop and asked about self exclusion
i actually live in lowestoft (where countmeout are based) and i know the office well (small world isn't it)
it is a great idea and i will be recommending it to my counsellor