GamCare is an independent UK charity founded by Paul Bellringer in 1997 to raise awareness and aid those affected by gambling harms across Britain.
Overview
GamCare is a UK provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. Expert services are free of charge, confidential and non-judgemental. GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline on Freephone, live web chat, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. GamCare provides support services both face to face and online across England, Scotland and Wales as part of the National Gambling Support Network.
GamCare also provides training and materials to the gambling industry to improve social responsibility and customer protection. Training programs provide attenders with vital insight on how to recognise the signs of gambling harm and advice on how to interact with customers to achieve a positive outcome.
The Safer Gambling Standard
The Safer Gambling Standard is the social responsibility quality standard for licensed gambling operators. The Standard is a set of best practice standards developed out of a combination of academic evidence in Safer Gambling practices, GamCare service user input, and GamCare’s knowledge and experience from over 25 years of work with those affected by gambling harms, and the gambling industry itself.
GamCare Youth Services
GamCare hosts Youth Outreach Programs, offering interactive workshops for young people, as well as training for the professionals that support them (such as teachers and youth workers).
GamCare and Samaritans together developed a suite of training materials for gambling businesses, to raise awareness of the risk of gambling-related suicide and to give gambling staff the skills and confidence to support customers who may be at risk.