Safer Gambling Organisations to Monitor Behaviour During Euro 2020

‘Safer Gambling Organisations to Monitor Behaviour During Euro 2020’ (Image from uefa.com)

With Euro 2020 fully in swing, it is understandable that safer gambling organisations have increased their focus levels on gambling. In this post, we provide an update on the actions many agencies, authorities, and organisations are taking during one of the world’s biggest sporting events. During an event of this magnitude, online betting naturally increases, but many agencies believe it is also a good time to increase awareness about responsible gambling.

Safer Gambling Agencies Launch New Campaigns

GamCare, GamBan, and GAMSTOP came back together last week to relaunch their #TalkBanStop campaign to correspond to the start of Euro 2020. The trio believes the tournament will again see a rise in women looking for help with gambling problems. This campaign is fronted by Karen Carney MBE, an England international footballer who agrees that more help should be aimed at women footballers who now have increased access to gambling.

It is thought women, who would previously avoid walking into betting shops, can now bet online in secrecy, which leads to an increase in women needing help. The campaign hopes to increase awareness and provide women with more information on how they can get help.

GambleAware, who recently revealed online surveys overestimate gambling harm figures, also put forward ideas aimed at helping people with gambling-related disorders. The organisation put forward the idea of creating a residential rehabilitation programme and pledged to support it with £1 million of funding over a three-year period. GambleAware believes there are still gaps in the treatment provided for those suffering from gambling-related disorders and feel this programme will help to fill them.

This programme would operate as part of the National Gambling Treatment Service and would help to address the needs of those with gambling health issues. GambleAware has invited other organisations to support the programme and has given them until July 16 to apply.

GambleAware’s official statement reads:

Based on the existing treatment landscape we know that there are gaps in the provision of residential care to address co-occurring health needs, including mental health problems and complexities.

Gambling Advertising Also Under the Spotlight

With Euro 2020 underway, the European Gaming and Betting Association last week stressed that all their members will stick rigidly to their Code of Conduct relating to responsible advertising as the tournament takes place. The Code of Conduct was created in April 2020 and was designed to protect children and those suffering from gambling problems during the coronavirus pandemic.

The association believes that now, more than ever, due to Euro 2020, this code of conduct should be adhered to rigidly. The EGBA also stressed that its members are committed to advertising in a socially responsible manner during the event.

A statement by Martin Haijer, the EGBA Secretary-General reads:

Advertising is a hot topic in many countries and the gambling sector must take more responsibility for the content and tone of its advertising. We hope gambling authorities around Europe will acknowledge the efforts made by EGBA members to raise the bar in responsible advertising standards.