With Euro 2024 set to kick off next week, GamCare, an organization dedicated to tackling gambling addiction, has issued a strong appeal to employers nationwide. The organization is urging them to create safe environments where employees can discuss gambling addiction issues freely and be guided to appropriate support services. GamCare’s recommendations come with a comprehensive five-step plan designed to assist employers in fostering these supportive spaces and encouraging open discussions around gambling harms.
Samantha Turton, head of remote support services at GamCare, emphasized the critical need for such initiatives, pointing to the often discreet nature of gambling addiction. “Last year, strides were made as more general practitioners began to inquire about patients’ gambling habits, which was an important advancement,” Turton remarked. She further noted the untapped potential of workplaces in enhancing gambling awareness. “We believe that fostering these conversations in workplaces could create a win-win scenario. Employees would feel better supported and engaged, while organizations would benefit from a healthier and happier workforce.”
Turton also underscored the severe consequences of gambling addiction, which in extreme cases, can lead to gambling-related crimes within the workplace. By addressing these issues proactively, both employees and businesses can be shielded from such detrimental outcomes.
To combat these concerns, GamCare’s five-step approach for employers focuses on raising awareness of gambling-related harms within the workplace. First and foremost, the organization recommends implementing HR policies aimed at providing employees with clear, open spaces to disclose gambling addiction issues. These policies would be similar to existing ones that address drug, alcohol, and mental health concerns.
GamCare also advocated for targeted training for line managers, so they are equipped to direct affected staff towards support services like the National Gambling Helpline. This step is pivotal in ensuring that employees know where to seek help should they need it.
Another crucial element of the plan is the establishment of internal support networks. This includes efforts to reduce the stigma associated with gambling harms by increasing education and awareness about the issue within the company.
With Euro 2024 fast approaching, GamCare has particularly stressed the importance of employers exercising caution when organizing workplace sweepstakes. Such events, although seemingly harmless, can potentially exacerbate compulsive gambling behaviors, especially during significant sporting events.
.
GamCare’s advice also extends beyond the gamblers themselves. The organization highlighted that gambling addiction often affects those around the gambler, including friends and family members, who might also require tailored support.
To substantiate its recommendations, GamCare pointed to recent research on gambling addiction levels in the UK, revealing a significant gap in workplace support. For instance, a YouGov study showed that a mere 9% of workplaces had support structures in place for vulnerable gamblers, starkly contrasted with 47% that had mental health policies. Despite Public Health England’s alarming statistic that 1.6 million people in England struggle with gambling issues, workplace support remains significantly underdeveloped.
Further data from the National Gambling Helpline, operated by GamCare, identified work-related difficulties as one of the primary consequences of gambling addiction. The YouGov study echoed this concern, revealing that only 28% of problem gamblers felt comfortable discussing their issues with their employer. In contrast, 57% would confide in friends and 42% with family members.
The issue is not confined to the UK. In France, the national gambling regulator, L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), has also initiated a problem gambling prevention campaign ahead of Euro 2024. The ANJ predicts nearly €1bn (£851.4m/$1.1bn) could be wagered on the tournament, with research from Toluna-Harris Interactive indicating that 35% of France’s population plans to place bets.
In response, the ANJ is emphasizing the importance of paying attention to advertising disclosures that outline associated gambling risks. Their campaign, marked by a striking yellow highlight, aims to stress that legal notices in advertisements bear genuine stories and testimonials reflecting the severe risks of excessive gambling.
“The ANJ wishes to make an impact with its campaign, which aims to make people understand that legal notices are not only a requirement but contain real players’ stories and testimonials on the risks linked to excessive gambling, the kind we receive every day at the ANJ,” stated Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, ANJ president.
As Euro 2024 looms, the calls from both GamCare and ANJ highlight a critical need for enhanced support measures for at-risk individuals, ensuring that the excitement of the tournament does not come at the expense of those vulnerable to gambling addiction.
