GamCare shifts beyond Safer Gambling Standard services

Neha Soni November 12, 2024

SiGMA news

GamCare shifts beyond Safer Gambling Standard services

The UK gambling charity, GamCare, recently made waves by announcing it would discontinue its suite of Safer Gambling Standard services for operators after 2024. This shift reflects GamCare’s strategy to tackle gambling-related harm at a broader, systemic level, reaching beyond the gambling industry to involve banks and financial service providers.

GamCare’s decision to shift its focus stems from a desire to make a more direct impact. Although they searched for a partner organisation to continue the Safer Gambling Standard independently, no one suitable emerged. This strategic shift will allow GamCare to direct its efforts towards cross-sector collaborations with financial institutions, where they believe they can have a more profound effect on reducing gambling harm.

The gambling charity’s decision to collaborate with financial institutions is a testament to the important role these institutions play in identifying and preventing gambling-related financial harm. By working closely with banks and other financial service providers, GamCare aims to equip these institutions with the tools to recognise risky behaviour and intervene early.

The GRFH project

GamCare’s GRFH project is designed to empower financial firms to detect, intervene, and support individuals facing gambling-related financial issues. The project focuses on providing financial institutions with the resources and training necessary to recognise signs of problem gambling, allowing them to address these issues before they escalate.

Banks and financial institutions can serve as the first line of defence in combating gambling-related harm. By analysing customer transactions, they can detect patterns indicative of problem gambling, such as excessive spending relative to income or high activity near payday. GamCare’s GRFH project encourages financial institutions to adopt these proactive measures to protect at-risk customers.

UK banks are in a unique position to support individuals struggling with gambling. Raminta Diliso, GamCare’s Financial Harm Manager, highlighted the critical role banks can play by identifying risky behaviours through transaction analysis. Banks like Santander have already implemented initiatives to help customers at risk, including tailored communications and support resources.

“We have built a suite of interventions, including letters and text messages, to provide timely signposting to support customers at risk of financial detriment due to their gambling,” said Graeme Cunning, Santander’s Vulnerable Customers Strategy Manager.

How will the shift affect gambling operators?

With GamCare no longer providing the Safer Gambling Standard, launched in 2019, gambling operators will need to seek alternative guidance for responsible practices. This change may impact some operators’ approaches to responsible gambling, though other industry standards and regulations remain in place to encourage responsible practices.

For individuals struggling with gambling, tools like GAMSTOP, a self-exclusion scheme, and Gamban, blocking software, continue to be available. These tools allow individuals to block access to gambling websites, providing essential resources for those seeking to regain control over their gambling habits. GamCare’s new strategy complements these tools, offering a holistic approach to tackling gambling harm.

Despite its strategic shift, GamCare will continue to offer direct support through services like the National Gambling Helpline, a 24/7 resource for those affected by gambling.