GamCare is continuing to make waves within the online gambling industry following the launch of its new array of digital products and services. Designed to provide online support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction, MyGamCare is a free-to-access online portal with the goal of combating the harmful effects of the industry.
Through MyGamCare, users will be able to gain a deeper understanding of how gambling may be having a negative toll on their lives by assessing its effects on their time, money, relationships and well-being. Through the portal, users will be able to track their moods, set goals and view personalized content as well gain access to helpful and supportive resources.
This new portal will provide the much-needed tools to help prevent problem gambling. Particularly for players who want to take advantage of win real money online instantly no deposit, because these are by far some of the most tempting offers provided by operators.
Tighter Restrictions
The British-based charity’s latest debut comes amid concerns that the $10bn industry is causing undue harm. In fact, UK gambling groups are preparing for a major government crackdown that is said to introduce a statutory levy to fund public health initiatives and tighter financial checks on customers.
Following almost two years of delays, the 2005 Gambling Act introduced by the then Labour government is finally getting a much-needed update for the digital age. The new regulations set to be introduced include bans on VIP packages and legally obliging operators to allocate 1 per cent of gross yields to gambling harms care.
Additionally, medical professionals and campaigners are also championing the end of front-of-shirt gambling sponsorships which have dominated the Premier League as of late. Controversial takes such as affordability checks on gamblers and proposed caps of £125 on monthly losses or £500 on annual losses, prior to an activation check are still being debated.
Increased Digital Presence
With MyGamCare, the UK-based charity is hoping to bridge the digital divide by enhancing its existing support services and making them more accessible to those in dire need. Individuals will now be able to access the service through popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, in addition to the existing phone and online chat options.
With this move, GamCare hopes to extend the reach of its services making them more user-friendly and convenient by offering timely support to those individuals who may not feel comfortable enough to seek help through traditional channels.
The new service will act as an extension to the National Gambling Helpline, which GamCare has run for more than 25 years. The charity’s helpline has witnessed a surge in demand, receiving a record number of calls in January. According to recent data, 3,700 online chats and calls were handled by the helpline during that month alone, representing a 17% increase compared to the previous year.
Call For Cross-Sector Partnerships
In a bid to address gambling-related debt, GamCare hosted its second Gambling Related Financial Harm workshop (GRFH), exploring how different sectors can provide better support. The workshop brought together more than 60 attendees and expert speakers from debt advice organisations including Citizens Advice, PayPlan and StepChange, as well as speakers with lived experience of gambling-related debt.
The workshop addressed the importance of meeting the unique needs and communication preferences of each client. It was also determined that support pages must include information about money and debt management for gamblers, developed by industry experts and those who have lived through the experience.
The positive impact of cross-sector work training was highlighted throughout the workshops as individuals should learn how to identify and understand the risk factors of harm, drivers of vulnerability and risk profiles of people who may experience GRFH, including those of affected others. GamCare also stressed the importance of collaborating on a toolkit to support customer-facing staff when engaging in sensitive conversations about GRFH.
Final Thoughts
GamCare is tackling the troubling persistent issues of problem gambling head-on. Whether it is through their newly introduced MyGamCare platform offering bespoke solutions to suit every individual’s unique needs or through their Gambling Related Financial Harm workshops, the British charity is focused on breaking down the shame and stigma often associated with these problems and creating an easily accessible channel of support.
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