GamCare: Deeper pathways needed on financial harms linked with problem gambling

GamCare has stated that greater cross-sector cooperation is needed to intervene on financial harms and debt impacting the lives of victims of gambling harms.

The treatment and support charity has published the independent evaluation of its Gambling  Related Financial Harm (GRFH) project, undertaken by Rocket Science. The project is referenced as the first evaluation gathering evidence of financial harms linked with problem gambling.

GamCare launched the project due to feedback gathered in 2022/2023, as “60% of callers to the National Gambling Helpline disclosed some level of gambling-related debt, while 76% of the callers reported financial difficulties”.

“These harms are, of course, not just limited to those who gamble, with 47% of other individuals affected, who contacted GamCare, also reporting financial difficulties.”

The project brings together insights from key sectors, including banking, debt, and money advice and gambling treatment, to raise awareness of the issue of the scale of financial harm linked to gambling.

As cited, “Almost 500 people across those sectors have been involved in the work. Together, we set out to develop initiatives and resources to help organisations identify those who are experiencing financial harm and ensure they are supported.”

Research was undertaken via data reviews, workshops, interviews, and surveys with key stakeholders, who reported the need for “increased understanding of gambling-related financial harms within specific sectors, and the need to facilitate cross-sector knowledge and collaboration”.

The evaluation noted the importance of involving those with lived experience in the GRFH project and highlights the need for ongoing support and funding to ensure the continuation and expansion of its efforts to mitigate financial harms associated with gambling.

Recommendations noted that while the GRFH Project “creates a unique networking space for open discussions about gambling-related financial harms,” stakeholders were reminded that to “enable real-world change,” deeper referral pathways between organisations exposed to financial harms linked with gambling must be established.

GamCare concluded: “We couldn’t have achieved this impact without the commitment and engagement from our partner organisations who played a big role in reducing gambling harms by attending our events, implementing our recommendations, and making a positive impact on their vulnerable customers who have been affected by gambling.

“That’s why we’re delighted that 100% of stakeholders surveyed said they wanted to see the GRFH project continue.”