In a strategic shift, the UK gambling charity GamCare has announced that it will no longer provide its Safer Gambling Standard services for gambling operators past 2024, redirecting the focus to supporting financial institutions in tackling gambling-related harm. This decision aligns with GamCare’s pledge to focus on providing direct support and broader, cross-sector projects.
This Shift Realignment Marks a New Chapter for GamCare
Despite its search for an appropriate partner to continue the Safer Gambling Standard independently, GamCare could not secure a suitable host organization. This unfortunate development marks the organization’s nearly five-year-long direct involvement with gambling operators. However, the decision should not affect GamCare’s other programs and initiatives, as customer safety remains a priority.
GamCare’s new approach emphasizes collaboration with UK banks and other financial service providers to identify and support individuals at risk of gambling-related financial harm. The charity recently hosted a workshop bringing together over 70 gambling support and financial sector representatives to discuss how banks can proactively enhance customer safeguards.
This newest initiative aligns with GamCare’s ongoing Gambling Related Financial Harm (GRFH) project, which aims to equip financial firms with the necessary tools and knowledge to identify, intervene, and support customers experiencing gambling-related financial harm. This measure will complement other tools like its self-exclusion scheme GAMSTOP and blocking software Gamban.
Banks Can Provide the First Line of Defense
GamCare has urged banks to proactively analyze customer transactions for patterns demonstrating problem gambling, such as high spending relative to income and increased activity around pay dates. Raminta Diliso, financial harm manager at GamCare, noted that banks were perfectly positioned to prevent gambling harm before it becomes a significant issue via early detection.
We hope that more financial services firms will take a proactive approach and put the right steps in place to support customers who are experiencing financial difficulties related to gambling.
Raminta Diliso, GamCare financial harm manager
The shift to financial services aims to mitigate gambling-related financial harm before it escalates, fostering collaboration among banks and support organizations to address gambling issues at the transactional level. Graeme Cunning, vulnerable customers strategy manager at Santander, lauded this approach, highlighting the bank’s own suite of problem gambling prevention measures.
We have built a suite of interventions, including letters and text messages, to provide timely signposting to support customers at risk of financial detriment due to their gambling.
Graeme Cunning, Santander vulnerable customers strategy manager
Despite GamCare’s shifting priorities, the charity will maintain its support for direct services, such as the National Gambling Helpline, which remains available 24/7. The organization will continue its role as a central resource for individuals impacted by gambling, both for those directly struggling and for those affected by someone else’s gambling behavior.
