All this week, the betting shops in Chinatown will be participating in “Gamble Aware Week”, in the lead up to Chinese New Year.

Throughout the week, shop windows will be taken over with bi-lingual Gamble Aware Week posters, highlighting the message “Never bet more than you can afford to lose” with clear advice to all punters:

• Set a limit and stick to it
• Take regular breaks
• Speak to a member of staff if you need advice.
• Never bet more than you can afford to lose

The week-long event is being run in partnership by the Chinese National Healthy Living Centre (CNHLC), GamCare (the leading national provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling) and the Association of British Bookmakers and its members.

The posters and in-shop leaflets, written in traditional Chinese and English, will provide details of free Chinese language counselling and drop-in information services available during the week in partnership with GamCare and CNHLC.

Eddie Chan, the Director of the Chinese National Healthy Living Centre, said:

” The campaign is not about telling people not to gamble but to raise awareness of the risk that it could get out of control for some people.”

“Gambling is a tradition in the Chinese community, but all of us want to ensure people do so in a responsible way. We are excited to be able to work closely with the betting shop industry on this important project in this key area of our community, and ensure together that people never bet more than they can afford to lose.”

Malcolm George, Chief Executive of the Association of British Bookmakers, said:

“Betting shops in Chinatown and elsewhere offer the safest place to gamble. We want all our customers to enjoy their leisure time in our shops and our clear advice will help them do that.