GamCare trials PayPlan debt advice referrals
The charity GamCare is piloting a programme to refer UK gamblers with risks of mounting debts to an advice service offered by PayPlan.
UK.- The gambling harm prevention and treatment charity GamCare has launched a trial initiative through which it’s connecting users with PayPlan’s trained debt advice specialists.
PayPlan is an independent debt-advice organisation that offers free consultations and gives support on debt management matters to charities, communities, businesses and government institutions. Founded in 1992, it has since helped over one million users become debt-free.
Referrals from GamCare will be directed to PayPlan’s Special Advice Team. The two organisations will then work collaboratively to provide a joint duty of care.
GambleAware has made its first referrals to the charity via the Leeds Community Gambling Service (LCGS).
PayPlan trained LCGS practitioners to provide debt advice, while GamCare trained PayPlan’s Special Advice Team on how gambling can impact on people’s finances.
The charity said two-thirds (66%) of problem gambling treatment users have reported having debt problems, and 80 per cent admitted experiencing financial hardship.
GamCare said: “Learnings from this pilot will help develop best practices for supporting clients with gambling debts in both organisations.”
Earlier this year, GamCare published a new, revised edition of its Safer Gambling Standard, calling for UK-licensed operators to adopt the revised standard as part of their social responsibility requirements.
Its requirements cover 10 critical areas that the charity deems fundamental to gaming operators’ maintenance of effective safer gambling policies.
Meanwhile, the charity has called for an urgent discussion on gambling-related harm among young people. It said 71.5 per cent of calls made by under 18s to the GamCare-run National Gambling Helpline were made by young people struggling with gambling issues personally rather than because of concern for a friend or family member.
