UK charities the Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) and Betknowmore UK have launched a new online training programme, with the aim of helping workers in the British gambling market to identify signs of problem gambling.Safer Gambling Training seeks to strengthen playing protection standards and safeguard consumers from gambling-related harm.
The programme comprises six interactive digital training modules, covering key subjects such as customer vulnerability, safeguarding, customer interaction, identifying harm and employee mental health and well-being.
YGAM and Betknowmore said the new resources have been developed using a methodology known as ‘flipped learning’, derived from Neuroscience studies on how the brain learns.
The two charities also said that the training is relevant to the latest GB Gambling Commission’s latest licence conditions and codes of practice, while the scheme will be funded using regulatory settlements managed by the Commission.
Canada-based Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) will support the project, as an independent evaluation partner.
“Safer Gambling Training will support the customer facing teams by increasing their understanding gambling-related harm through the lens of lived-experience,” YGAM chief executive Lee Willows (left of picture) said.
“We are working with international partners to scope an International Standard that colleagues within the sector can take with them throughout their career, and which includes regular mandatory updates and refresher courses.”
Betknowmore chief executive Frankie Graham (right of picture) added: “We have developed content with collaboration from those with lived experience of gambling, combined with the insight and knowledge from our partner organisations who are experts within their sector.
“We will continue to develop our programme, ensuring it remains fit for the changing, dynamic gambling market, with the ultimate purpose of keeping players safe and free from harm.”
The new programme comes after YGAM announced that it is in the process of making a series of organisational changes following a review of its engagement with BAME communities.
Clearview Research was commissioned to undertake a six-month independent evaluation of YGAM’s charitable and educational resources to help understand how to effectively engage with ethnic minority communities.
Based on these findings, Clearview presented a number of recommendations, which the YGAM team has started to implement.
The new programme also comes after another problem gambling charity, GambleAware, this month signed up two new partners to support the next wave of its ongoing Bet Regret safer gambling campaign.
The next phase of the campaign will be rolled out ahead of the start of the 2020-21 English football season this week, with the backing of weight loss charity Man v Fat and Supporters Direct Scotland, a group looking help fans gain influence and ownership of their clubs.
