Today GamCare, together with Rocket Science, has published a Gambling-Related Financial Harm (GRFH) project impact evaluation report. This report highlights the importance of our cross-sector work to tackle the financial harm and debt often caused by gambling.
Throughout 2022/23, 60% of callers to the National Gambling Helpline disclosed some gambling-related debt, and 76% of those callers reported financial difficulties.
The scale of financial harm associated with gambling is alarming and in 2019 we set up the Gambling Related Financial Harm (GRFH) project to bring together key sectors, including banking, debt and money advice and gambling treatment, to raise awareness of the issue. Nearly 500 people in these sectors have been involved in this work. Together, we are working to develop initiatives and resources to help organizations identify those experiencing financial loss, and ensure they receive support. Last year GamCare commissioned Rocket Science, an independent research and evaluation company, to assess the project and its impact since its launch.
Main findings
Rocket Science discovered a number of key results from the GRFH project. These include:
- Creating a unique networking space for open discussion about gambling-related financial losses.
- Facilitate shared learning and knowledge by raising awareness about such financial losses.
- Support organizations, by helping them incorporate the experiences of people adversely affected by gambling, into their policies.
- Enabling real-world change, including the development of referral pathways between organizations dealing with those experiencing the harms of gambling.
Our stakeholders are also positive about the amount of change they have achieved. One participant admitted “Everything we do (at the bank) is a result of our involvement with the GRFH project – we own nothing.”
The future of the GRFH project
We could not achieve this impact without the commitment and engagement of our partner organizations who play a major role in reducing the harms of gambling, by attending our events, implementing our recommendations and making a positive impact for vulnerable customers impacted by gambling. .
That’s why we’re pleased that 100% of stakeholders surveyed said they want the GRFH project to continue.
If you want to find out more about the impact of the GRFH GamCare project, read the report where you will find case studies, recommendations and ideas for the project’s future.
