Dedicated Chatroom Session Offered for People in the Criminal Justice System

GamCare is offering a dedicated hour-long online chatroom session for those in contact with the Criminal Justice System (CJS) impacted by gambling harms on Tuesday 7th July from 3pm.

We provide daily chatroom sessions for people affected by gambling harms via our website, giving users a space to connect with peers, share their experiences and support one another with help from a moderator if needed. GamCare is now offering a dedicated hour-long session for those in contact with the CJS to connect with each other, as well as the chance to seek advice from their specialist team working with police, prisons and probation services.

Eartha Heptinstall, CJS Project Officer at GamCare, says: “We know that there is generally a higher number of people affected by gambling harms within the CJS than in the general population. Studies have also indicated that the more complex, prolonged and persistent a gambling problem is, the more likely it is that a crime will be committed and, indeed, that many crimes may result. If a gambling problem remains unaddressed, rehabilitative work in other areas of an individual’s life is not likely to be successful.

GamCare and our partners provide a range of support across the CJS, and we’re running this chatroom to give those in contact with the CJS a safe space to connect with one another and to seek specific advice if they have burning questions they may not be able to address anywhere else. GamCare chatrooms are confidential spaces and can provide a vital channel for peer support in recovery, and our team are also on hand to give additional advice if needed.”

Those who wish to join the chatroom will need to register via the GamCare website beforehand.

GamCare have also created a dedicated online Forum for those affected by gambling harms across the CJS, whether they are gamblers themselves or have been affected by someone else’s gambling.

Find out more about our work in the criminal justice system >>