A new group is being launched in Northampton on June 2 to promote responsible gambling.

Casino operator Aspers has teamed up with the police and other community leaders to form the Community Action for Responsible Gaming (CARG) group, ahead of the casino’s opening in Northampton on June 26.

The first committee meeting will also be attended by local representatives from the Citizens Advice Bureau and Pub Watch, as well as individuals from GamCare and the Gordon Moody Association which counsels and treats problem gamblers.

The group is chaired by Graham White OBE, who served the Gaming Board for Great Britain and the UK Gambling Commission, advising HM Government and other Governments world wide on matters relating to gaming legislation, inspection and enforcement.

Mr White said he was extremely pleased with the response of local community organisations who have already agreed to become involved with CARG.

“We will create a forum for discussion of issues relating to responsible gambling. We want to create awareness and a programme of education in order to assist those in the community who are affected by gambling,” he added.

“We will also assist local groups active in the field to work more effectively and will monitor the operation of Aspers self-exclusion and exclusion programmes. We will identify gambling trends in the community, and where appropriate, take action.”

CARG will also give advice and information to different organisations within the town about gambling addiction treatments and counselling services.

Aspers have set up two other CARG groups in Swansea and Newcastle where there are other Aspers casinos, and these have proved very successful, said Mr White.

He added: “Aspers is totally committed to being socially responsible, and is the only UK casino operator to set up groups of this type. This initiative is unique to Aspers and is based on similar schemes that Aspinalls ran successfully in Australia and New Zealand.”

General Manager of Aspers Northampton, Mark Darnell, said that the new venue in Commercial Street had been designed as a leisure and entertainment complex, and not just for gambling.

“We take problem gambling very seriously and we really do care about the wellbeing of our customers,” he said.

“All our employees are being trained by GamCare to spot signs of addiction and will work with individuals who need help. We will also have Responsible Gaming leaflets and a self-exclusion programme designed to ensure that gambling in our casinos is conducted in a sustainable, safe and socially responsible manner.”

Aspers Northampton features a restaurant, bars and live entertainment as well as traditional casino games and slots.