News
GAMCARE RESPONSE TO BRITISH PREVALENCE SURVEY
19 September 2007
GamCare notes the findings of the British Prevalence Survey published today.
GamCare is delighted to see that the combined efforts of GamCare and the gaming industry, with its heightened commitment to the practices of social responsibility, has led to no increase in the number of problem gamblers in the UK. Operators have made, and have indicated that they will continue to make, concerted efforts to raise the awareness of the services provided by GamCare for those individuals who get into difficulty from gambling, including the decision to carry the GamCare HelpLine number in their advertising.
GamCare has made considerable investment in its service offering over the last eighteen months. In addition to the GamCare HelpLine (0845 6000133), which took over 30,000 calls from individuals in difficulty from gambling or their friends and relatives over the course of 2006, GamCare has also recently launched a live, confidential NetLine service for individuals who prefer to communicate via the internet as opposed to the telephone. In addition, the GamCare message forum, an active peer to peer support community, saw an increase in use of 300% with over 2,200 registered members by the end of 2006. Lastly, the network of GamCare counselling partners continues to expand across the UK, offering problem gamblers greater access to locally provided one on one counselling.
Whilst still only a small proportion of those getting into difficulty through gambling are aware of, and therefore are gaining access to, the excellent treatment services available, GamCare looks forward to continuing its work with all stakeholders to promote GamCare’s services as widely as possible to ensure that those in difficulty gain access to the free, confidential help, advice and support that is available to them.
Contact
Nicola Crewe-Read - Director of Communications
07986 380577
nicola@gamcare.org.uk
Geoffrey Godbold - Chief Executive
020 7378 5200
Statistics
GamCare took over 30,000 calls to its HelpLine (0845 6000133) from individuals in difficulty from gambling or their friends and relatives over the course of 2006, an increase of 33.9% on 2005. The annualised run rate of calls to the GamCare HelpLine is running at 40,000 in calendar 2007.
During 2006, 42.5% of callers were signposted by GamCare’s highly skilled team of HelpLine advisers to a mix of HelpLine, one on one counselling, GamCare partnership and the GamCare website services. A further 25.9% were signposted to Gamblers Anonymous self-help fellowships, 5.8% to GPs and 4.3% to the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, reflecting the increasing need for healthcare professionals to be involved in the treatment and support of problem gamblers and their families. Significantly, 9.4% of callers were recommended the self-exclusion process offered by betting, gaming and remote operators. Furthermore, the GamCare message forum (www.gamcare.org.uk/forum) saw an increase in use of 300% with over 2,200 registered members engaging in peer to peer support by the end of 2006.
Notes to Editors
GamCare is the UK’s leading authority on problem gambling and the largest provider of help, advice and support services for problem gamblers and their families and friends. Working with other agencies across the United Kingdom, GamCare’s Helpline ensures that anyone with a gambling problem or a relative or friend of that individual is able to access all the services available across the UK.
GamCare’s national helpline telephone number is 0845 6000 133. GamCare’s Netline is available at www.gamcare.org.uk/netline