GamCare Urges Employers to Support Staff During Euro 2024

Leading gambling assistance organization GamCare is advising companies to improve their support systems for staff members who may get addicted to gaming as Euro 2024 draws near. The organization places a strong emphasis on the value of establishing secure spaces where employees may freely talk about problems connected to gambling and get the assistance services they need.

With the tournament starting the next week, GamCare has released a five-step guide to assist companies in addressing the negative effects of gambling on their employees. Samantha Turton, GamCare’s head of remote support services, emphasized the need of providing at-risk people with discreet avenues to seek assistance, especially in the workplace.

“Last year we saw steps for more GPs to ask questions from patients around gambling, which is an important step forward,” Turton stated. “We believe workplaces could be the next place to create more awareness about gambling and could be a win-win for organizations and staff, with people feeling more supported and engaged at work and organizations benefitting from a happier, healthier workforce.” Turton also noted that increased workplace awareness could prevent gambling-related crimes, thereby protecting both employees and businesses.

Five Steps to Address Gambling Harms

GamCare’s five-step policy includes:

1. Implementing HR Policies: Developing policies that allow staff to disclose gambling addictions, similar to those for drugs, alcohol, or mental health issues.
2. Training Managers: Educating line managers to support staff and direct them to services like the National Gambling Helpline.
3. Creating Support Networks: Establishing internal networks to reduce the stigma surrounding gambling harms through increased education and support.
4. Caution with Workplace Sweepstakes: Advising caution when organizing workplace sweepstakes, especially during major sporting events like the Euros.
5. Recognizing Wider Impact: Understanding that gambling harms affect not just the gambler but also their friends and family, who may need different forms of support.

GamCare’s recommendations are backed by recent data on gambling addiction in the UK. A YouGov study revealed that only 9% of people had access to gambling support in their workplace, compared to 47% with mental health policies. Despite Public Health England’s estimate that 1.6 million people in England struggle with gambling, this gap in workplace support persists.

The National Gambling Helpline, operated by GamCare, identified work difficulties as a significant consequence of gambling addiction. Additionally, the YouGov study found that only 28% of problem gamblers would feel comfortable disclosing their issues to their employer, whereas 57% would tell friends, and 42% would confide in family.

In parallel, French gambling regulator L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has launched a campaign to curb problem gambling ahead of Euro 2024. The ANJ estimates that nearly €1 billion could be wagered on the tournament, with research indicating that 35% of France’s population plans to bet on the event. The campaign will stress the risks of excessive gambling, featuring prominent warnings in advertisements and directing individuals to the Evalujeu site for support.

“The ANJ wishes to make an impact with its campaign which aims to make people understand that legal notices on advertisements are not only a legal obligation but that they contain stories of players’ lives, testimonials on the risks linked to excessive gambling such as those we receive every day at the ANJ,” stated ANJ president Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin.