GamCare
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| Type | Charity |
|---|---|
| Industry | Responsible Gambling |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Key people | Lord Sharman of Redlynch, President |
| Website | gamcare.org.uk |
GamCare offers guidance and counselling towards their efforts of dealing with the social ramifications of gambling in the United Kingdom. GamCare, a charitable organisation, was founded in April 1997. In October of that year, Adrian Scarfe, then Head of Clinical Services at GamCare, launched the organization’s HelpLine and counselling services. The president of GamCare is Lord Sharman of Redlynch.
GamCare offers services for problem gamblers, including free guidance and support through their telephone HelpLine and NetLine (the online equivalent) and the use of their online forum and chat rooms. In 2007, GamCare counsellors handled over 38,000 calls from gamblers or their family members seeking help with addiction.[1] Additionally, those living in the UK can seek face to face counselling, either through GamCare or their partners. GamCare also trains people to work with those who may be addicted to gambling.[2]
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[edit] Funding
GamCare’s funding comes indirectly from the gambling industry.[3] GamCare also established GamCare Trade Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of the organisation, to further promote responsible gambling in the UK. Institutions can display GamCare literature at establishments and post stickers on machines to show compliance with GamCare’s responsible gambling regulations.[4] Any profits generated from GamCare Trade Services are used to fund the various types of support offered by GamCare.
In 2007, GamCare received 80% of the £3.5 million budget set aside by the industry to promote responsible gambling.[5] £4.76 million in funding is expected to be required for 2009, with that number jumping to £5.34 million in 2010 and 2011.[6] In 2009, there was a lengthy debate as to how much the gaming industry should contribute to GamCare and other organisations devoted to helping those with gambling addictions. GamCare was seeking £500,000 from industry to advertise on the dangers of problem gambling. However, the industry and responsible gaming organisations were unable to come to an agreement.[5]
[edit] GamCare compliance
Companies who carry the GamCare logo at their establishments or on their websites voluntarily comply with a set of guidelines towards the promotion of responsible gaming. Some of the requirements for a website to be GamCare compliant include, but are not limited to:
- Members have the ability to set their own limits (including self exclusion periods)[7]
- Staff are trained to identify and help members with gambling problems/addictions[8]
- Links to GamCare and/or other help websites are displayed
[edit] Ambassador
In October 2009, GamCare announced that they have appointed former world boxing champion Chris Eubank as its first ambassador.[9]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ First free NHS clinic for gambling addicts opens, independent.co.uk, 18 July 2008, accessed 29 April 2008.
- ^ Dicey Plans?, communitycare.co.uk, 20 January 2005, accessed 29 April 2009.
- ^ Life's a lottery, guardian.co.uk, 11 April 1999, accessed 30 April 2009
- ^ A croupier's eye view, newstatesman.com, 18 October 2004, accessed 30 April 2009.
- ^ a b Gaming firms drag heels over aid for addicts, guardian.co.uk, 7 September 2008, accessed 29 April 2009.
- ^ Companies 'facing' gambling levy, news.bbc.co.uk, 6 January 2009, accessed 29 April 2009.
- ^ Webwise: A surefire way to beat card sharks, technology.timesonline.co.uk, 28 October 2007, accessed 24 April 2009.
- ^ Intensive Training Course a hit for GamCare and eCOGRA, 4flush.com, 1 April 2008, accessed 29 April 2009.
- ^ Chris Eubank joins fight against problem gambling, communitynewswire.press.net, 16 October 2009, accessed 28 October 2009.
