GamCare’s Last Year of Gambling Safety Standards

By Jane Shaw Senior Editor Updated: 11/15/2024

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We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

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Gambling Safety Standards

The charity organization GamCare announced earlier last week that its Safer Gambling Standard will cease operation by the end of 2024. It was launched first in 2019, and at the end of 2023, the GamCare Board made a decision to restructure.

Safer Gambling Standard Changed or Gone for Good?

The GamCare Board gathered in December 2023 and decided that the Safer Gambling Standard, which has been successfully operating since 2019, will continue under a different structure outside of GamCare in 2025. This means the Standard will continue its normal operation until the end of 2024.

This was the result of the Board reviewing the Safer Gambling activities. The Board has discussed many organizations that can inherit and take over the Standard. Unfortunately, as per their last update, GamCare has not yet found an entity that meets their requirements to carry out these safe gambling activities with a new structure.

It is important to mention that GamCare has notified the gambling industry that after 2024, they will not be providing Safer Gambling services. The organization remains dedicated to reducing the harms of gambling. Their other services, including the 24/7 National Gambling Helpline, will remain unchanged.

The GamCare Board advises that the organization will continue to provide its services to the thousands of people who contact it annually, as it has been for 27 years. This includes people who are directly suffering from a gambling addiction and people who are affected by someone else’s gambling habits.

GamCare’s Standard for Safer Gambling

As we mentioned earlier, GamCare has been dedicated to improving gambling safety and awareness for 27 years. One of the best results of the organization’s work is the Safer Gambling Standard. Gambling regulators, such as government councils, can require operators to adopt this Standard.

Standard’s criteria:

• Corporate governance & risk management
• Collaboration and sharing the best practices
• Safer gambling spending
• Protection of children and young adults
• Identifying, profiling and interacting
• Innovation & product design in safer gambling tools
• Self-exclusion
• Advertising and promotions
• Proper staff training
• Adequate discussions of problem gambling among staff

The Standard has different levels, ranging from Base Level (beginner) to Advanced Level 3. The remaining criteria measure the degree to which gambling operators exceed the base level. The main criteria include corporate governance, risk management, safer gambling spending, protection of children and young adults, identifying vulnerable customers, profiling and interaction, self-exclusion, and proper staff training.

Who are GamCare?

GamCare is a charity organization that is the leading provider of information and support for anyone who experiences habits or other effects of problem gambling. A significant part of their activity is working with companies in the gambling sector to provide a safer environment and to protect sensitive or underage people adequately.