GamCare has reported that the Safer Gambling Standard will continue its work under a different structure outside of the gambling treatment charity.
The decision for this change was made by GamCare’s board in December last year. A strategic review will be undertaken by its leadership team to facilitate the change.
GamCare noted that the outcome of the review will be announced in due course.
Launched in 2019 and accredited by UKAS, the Safer Gambling Standard is an independent quality standard that evaluates measures by gambling companies to protect people from gambling-related harm.
GamCare also stated that the Safer Gambling Standard team is reviewing the “very serious recent development in relation to online gambling operator, Gamesys, to see whether there have been any breaches of the Safer Gambling Standard requirements”.
Back in January, Gamesys was ordered to pay a £6m penalty by the UK Gambling Commission after an investigation discovered social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures had occurred between November 2021 and July 2022.
GamCare requires “all operators to provide accurate, up-to-date information, including of regulatory investigations, in line with the contract they sign”.
The findings of that review will be published by GamCare over the coming month.
GamCare added: “Our core focus at GamCare will continue to be the provision of high-quality, accessible support to the thousands of people who come through our services each year, both those who are struggling with gambling directly as well as those who are affected by someone else’s gambling.
“All of GamCare’s work is focused on the reduction of gambling harms, as it has been for 26 years.”
Earlier this year, GamCare revealed that the National Gambling Helpline has taken more calls and online chats in 2023 than any other previous year.
