The Importance of Gamcare and responsible gambling

Having been around since the 90s, Gamcare has grown to become a meaningful organisation that pushes for responsible gambling. Gamcare targets gamblers and at-risk individuals and provides tools, resources and advice to players in need.

Today, we will explore what Gamcare does, why it is important, who benefits from it, and what it means to the online casino industry. We will also examine the rise in usage of GamCare over the last year, and what players can expect from it.

GamCare is more commonly seen across online casinos UK because it is located in this region. Global players may not be as familiar with this service if they do not play at the best rated UK online casinos. However, since Gamcare has an online platform, gamblers in other parts of the world can also make use of its guides and resources to help them should they need it.

What is GamCare?

Gamcare is a UK-based organisation that deals with social responsibility and offers a support service for gamblers. The organisation was founded by UK-born Paul Bellringer in 1997 and continues to grow and be an important part of the online gambling at top online casinos.

It is known for operating the National Gambling Helpline and is a resource that provides support and advice for people who are negatively affected by gambling, whether directly or indirectly. Gamcare focuses on encouraging safe gambling and creating awareness around social responsibility and the potential harm of gambling. It is a service, without prejudice, that offers to help gamblers and inform people about safe gambling practices.

Ambitions and Values

GamCare takes pride in its mission. It has built a knowledge hub of support and social responsibility with expert advice, specific tools and treatment, and information on responsible gambling.

Their ambitions include recognising and preventing the harmful effects of gambling, providing effective tools and support for all to access, providing access to specialised treatment, and having trusted and effective working measures. The values of Gamcare include being Collaborative, Ambitious, Learning and Leading (CALL).

Features

The best part about GamCare is not only their support in running the National Gambling Helpline, but also the multitude of features it offers users on their website.

Regarding chat services, they offer access to a vast array of platforms including a 24-hour chatline on the website, a 24-hour WhatsApp chat and Facebook Messenger chat. Furthermore, their website offers an incredible online community to help users along the way. This includes an online forum with chatrooms, which creates a real sense of togetherness.

Gamcare allows users to track progress and urges with unique support features. Gamblers can set personal goals, save materials and resources on responsible gambling, access a money management resource, use a software block to restrict themselves, or even a more severe self-exclusion method.

Strategy

GamCare displays a thorough and researched understanding of tailored support for gamblers in need of their services. They have a clear mission statement and a dedication to social responsibility. The organisation’s strategy is an interesting way to get a better understanding of what it hopes to achieve.

• The Gamcare Mission is simple – “To support those harmed by gambling through advice and treatment, and to minimise gambling-related harm through education and engagement work.” The organisation wants to grow and deliver results throughout the UK.

Based around the mission, it has embarked on a number of key activities to increase recognition of gambling harm and awareness, while creating a safer more responsible gambling experience, reduce risk, and increase treatment, support and education.

Anti Racism Statement

Quite an interesting part of GamCare and a testimony to its holistic approach is that it has an Anti-Racism Statement. This is a document that not only encourages diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, but also directly condemns racism and expresses zero tolerance for racist behaviour.

The statement goes on to include how anti-racism is integral part of its mission and journey as an organisation.

Resources

GamCare has an impressive selection of resources available to users including regular updates on news in the gambling world and the support services that can help them. The organisation gives updates on seminars and classes that are ongoing, and also reports on the number of people helped along the way.

The site also includes a library of resources at the disposal of gamblers to educate themselves. This includes reports, peer-reviewed articles, and advice from specialists. Their reports tackle more than just gambling and may even be viewed as a useful resource for social inclusivity and responsibility in how they address gender, ethnicity, pay gaps and more.

Significant Increase in players contacting Gamcare in 2022

In the past year, there has been a significant increase in casino players’ accessing GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline. There has been nearly a 5% increase in calls and over 80,000 chats and sessions with individuals.

GamCare reported an increase on all fronts – from an increase in chat services, to treatment sessions, training in prevention, and awareness for responsible gambling.

As a result, the organisation increased the range of its social responsibility in 2022 in line with the higher number of players contacting them. This includes training in responsible gambling, as well as reaching a huge audience of at-risk young people and children.

Financial Increase in Gamcare in 2022

Gamcare relies heavily on donations and charitable activities in order to provide its services. With an increase in popularity, it saw an increase in financial income, in accordance with the rise in usage. Almost £20 million was raised for GamCare, on top of investments into the organisation.

Increase in use of Gamcare services

With 25 years under its belt, the growth of this organisation means that more players are contacting Gamcare and getting the support and treatment they need. As is reflected in the GamCare strategy, the organisation aims to expand its outreach and to continue to engage with casinos to use its services.

Gamcare offers more than just chat services and treatment sessions but also provides an online platform where users can track their personal development and support their treatment process. The comprehensive tools also allow people to set goals, manage money appropriately, and be part of a community of support.

Conclusion

GamCare has been around for some time and has been dedicated to reducing risk in gambling and offering support services to those in need. It has grown significantly in the last year and hopes to continue this way in the future. The platform’s user experience continues to improve and be more refined and tailored to deliver an effective treatment to players in need. This comes with a host of tools that gamblers can make use of along the way.

The work being done by GamCare is impressive and crucial in terms of social responsibility and impact. Their mission is to help affected gamblers and at risk individuals, to reach out to young people and educate them on treatment, and to be a trusted member of the gambling community by providing people with the tools they need for development and support.