GamCare
Encyclopedia
GamCare offers guidance and counselling towards their efforts of dealing with the social ramifications of gambling
in the United Kingdom
. GamCare, a charitable organization, 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. 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.
In 2007, GamCare received 80% of the £3.5 million budget set aside by the industry to promote responsible gambling. £4.76 million in funding is expected to be required for 2009, with that number jumping to £5.34 million in 2010 and 2011.
In 2009, there was a lengthy debate as to how much the gaming industry should contribute to GamCare and other organizations 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 organizations were unable to come to an agreement.
as its first ambassador.
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. GamCare, a charitable organization, 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. 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.
Funding
GamCare’s funding comes indirectly from the gambling industry. GamCare also established GamCare Trade Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of the organization, 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. 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. £4.76 million in funding is expected to be required for 2009, with that number jumping to £5.34 million in 2010 and 2011.
In 2009, there was a lengthy debate as to how much the gaming industry should contribute to GamCare and other organizations 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 organizations were unable to come to an agreement.
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)
- Staff are trained to identify and help members with gambling problems/addictions
- Links to GamCare and/or other help websites are displayed
Ambassador
In October 2009, GamCare announced that they have appointed former world boxing champion Chris EubankChris Eubank
Chris Eubank, Lord of the Manor of Brighton is a retired British boxer who held world titles at middleweight and super middleweight...
as its first ambassador.
See also
- Gamblers AnonymousGamblers AnonymousGamblers Anonymous is a twelve-step program for problem gamblers. GA began in Los Angeles on September 13, 1957. As of 2005 there were over 1000 GA meetings in the United States and meetings established in the United Kingdom, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Israel, Kenya, Uganda, Korea and...
- Problem gambling
- UK Gambling CommissionGambling CommissionThe Gambling Commission is Great Britain's regulatory body for most, but not all, gambling.-History:It was established under the Gambling Act 2005 and assumed full powers in 2007, taking over responsibility from the Gaming Board for Great Britain, in regulating arcades, betting, bingo, casinos,...