Treatment Expert Panel - Terms of Reference
1. Membership
1.1 The Responsible Gambling Trust (RGT) treatment expert panel (the Panel) shall comprise at least
five members, including at least one RGT trustee. The chairman of the RGT board of trustees (the RGT
Board) may also attend the Panel with observer status.
1.2 Other individuals may be invited to attend for all or part of any meeting, as and when appropriate and
necessary.
1.3 In the interests of transparency and openness, representatives of the Government, the Gambling
Commission and the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB) may also be invited to observe all
or part of any meeting, as and when appropriate and necessary.
1.4 Appointments to the Panel are made at the sole discretion of the RGT board and shall be for a period
of up to three years, which may be extended for further periods of up to three years.
1.5 The RGT Board shall appoint the Panel chairman. In the absence of the Panel chairman and/or an
appointed deputy, the remaining members present shall elect one of themselves to chair the meeting.
The person elected must be one who would qualify under these terms of reference to be appointed to
that position by the RGT Board.
2. Secretary
The chief executive or his or her nominee shall act as the secretary of the Panel.
3. Quorum
The quorum necessary for the transaction of business shall be three. A duly convened meeting of the
Panel at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all or any of the authorities, powers
and discretions vested in or exercisable by the Panel.
4. Meetings
The Panel shall meet at least four times a year and otherwise as required. The frequency and timing of
meetings will differ according to the needs of the RGT. Meetings should be organised so that attendance
is maximised.
5. Notice of meetings
5.1 Meetings of the Panel shall be called by the secretary of the Panel at the request of the Panel
chairman.
5.2 Unless otherwise agreed, notice of each meeting confirming the venue, time and date together with
an agenda of items to be discussed, shall be forwarded to each member of the Panel, any other person
required to attend, no later than five working days before the date of the meeting. Supporting papers
shall be sent to the Panel members and to other attendees, as appropriate, at the same time.
1
6. Minutes of meetings
6.1 The secretary shall minute the proceedings and resolutions of all the Panel meetings, including the
names of those present and in attendance.
6.2 Draft minutes of the Panel meetings shall be circulated promptly to all members of the Panel. Once
approved, minutes may be circulated to all trustees of the RGT, unless it would be inappropriate to do
so.
7. Annual general meeting
The Panel chairman should attend the RGT annual general meeting to represent the Panel’s activities.
8. Duties
The Panel shall carry out the following duties on behalf of the RGT, as appropriate:
8.1 critically review and make recommendations to the RGT Board about the development and delivery
of its strategy and funding plans in relation to treatment and minimising gambling-related harm in light of
available evidence, information and advice, as well as taking account of the RGSB’s rolling three-year
strategy;
8.2 consider and make recommendations to the RGT board regarding the resources necessary to deliver
the RGT’s strategy in relation to treatment and minimising gambling-related harm;
9. Reporting responsibilities
9.1 The Panel chairman shall report to the RGT Board on its proceedings after each meeting on all
matters within its duties and responsibilities.
9.2 The Panel shall make whatever recommendations to the RGT Board it deems appropriate on any
area within its remit where action or improvement is needed.
9.3 The Panel shall produce a report of the RGT’s treatment and minimising gambling-related harm
activity to be included in the company’s annual report.
10. Other matters
The Panel shall:
10.1 have access to sufficient resources in order to carry out its duties, including access to the RGT’s
secretariat for assistance as required;
10.2 be provided with appropriate and timely information relating to what is currently and generally
known and understood about treatment, education and prevention issues in relation to gambling-related
harm;
10.3 arrange for periodic reviews of its own performance and, at least annually, review its terms of
reference to ensure it is operating at maximum effectiveness and recommend any changes it considers
necessary to the RGT Board for approval.
11. Authority
The Panel is authorised by the RGT Board to obtain, at the company’s expense, outside legal or other
professional advice on any matters within its terms of reference.
2