GamCare Announce New Partnership with PayPlan

We’re piloting an initiative with our partners, PayPlan.

Through referral, we can connect people affected by gambling related debt with expert specialist advice at PayPlan.

According to GamCare’s latest data, two thirds (66%) of gamblers attending treatment services in 2020/21 reported having debt issues and 80% reported being impacted by financial difficulties.

Debt advice is the biggest area of external support GamCare’s Helpline advisers and treatment practitioners signpost to. However, by providing contact details for free debt providers , it means we leave it up to our client to self-refer themselves into debt advice. We believe that working in partnership with the debt sector where there is a warm referral process in place.

This initiative was launched today (Monday 9 August), with the initial phase being piloted with our Leeds Community Gambling Service (LCGS). The referrals will be directed to PayPlan’s Special Advice Team who understand the types of situations the clients may be in. Both organisations will then work collaboratively to provide joint duty of care for those affected by gambling debt.

PayPlan has delivered training to LCGS practitioners to provide key information about debt advice and their services. In turn, GamCare has upskilled PayPlan’s Special Advice Team on how gambling affects people’s finances and other areas of their life and the ways we support those who come to GamCare for support.

Learnings from this pilot will help develop best practices for supporting clients with gambling debts in both organisations.