GamCare Expands Its Role in Tackling Gambling Harm Across the UK

GamCare has steadily become one of the most recognisable names in the fight against gambling harm, striving to help not only those experiencing problematic gambling but also their families and communities. During the last three years, the charity’s range of services has expanded significantly, with the Money Guidance Service (MGS) representing one of its most successful initiatives.

The MGS Offers a Vital Lifeline

Launched in 2022 after pilot schemes in the East Midlands and Yorkshire & the Humber, the MGS aimed to fill a significant gap within GamCare’s support structure: to help people regain control of their finances after gambling-related harm. The success of the pilots convinced the charity to launch a nationwide rollout in 2023.

Kathy Wade, GamCare money guidance service manager, lauded the efforts of the team,  noting that the initiative helped many individuals experiencing harm to connect the dots between gambling support and practical debt management. She added that such tools were invaluable in assisting people to get back on their feet during the ongoing cost-of-living challenges.

It’s fantastic to see the impact that the team has had in helping people recover from gambling-related financial issues, especially as we continue to see rising costs impacting people in Britain.

Kathy Wade, GamCare money guidance service manager

The MGS is the first and only service of its kind in the UK, offering specialist financial advice focused on gambling matters instead of general debt counseling. GamCare’s latest evaluation of the programme shows promising results. Participants reported improved monetary stability, a reduction in debt levels, and a general sense of well-being. 

GamCare Remains a Cornerstone of Harm Prevention in the UK

This focus on practical solutions is backed by concerning figures. GamCare reported that more than three-quarters of callers to its National Gambling Helpline mentioned financial hardship as a consequence of gambling, while nearly one-third cited worries related to money as a reason for their continued wagering. These results reveal gambling’s link to financial distress, underlining the necessity for accessible, specialist guidance.

The charity’s efforts go beyond financial recovery. GamCare has ventured into the often-ignored intersection of gambling harm and domestic abuse. Many partners or families are coerced into debt, pressured to give money, or feel powerless when they try to voice their concerns. By collaborating with organisations such as Refuge, the programme has trained over 3,800 professionals to recognise the warning signs of gambling-related abuse and respond appropriately. 

Education and prevention remain at the core of GamCare’s mission. Its outreach work has touched the lives of over 53,000 youth and family members in the past year. GamCare’s reach is reflected in its helpline statistics. 57% of people who started treatment did so after making their first call to the National Gambling Helpline, underlining the charity’s crucial role as a gateway to structured care and long-term recovery.