Ice 2019: 'YGAM believe early education is key to preventing gambling issues'

Reigning Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year Lorraine Archibald provides her diary from day two at the Ice gaming conference

Day two at Ice in the ExCeL, London and my priority today is visiting the Consumer Protection Zone. When we think of consumer protection in the betting industry, just what exactly does that mean? These companies and charities provide all kinds of much needed support to a wide range of people from all communities.

My first stop is with Ibas, or to give them their full title, the Independent Betting Adjudication Service. They have been championing fair play, resolving gambling disputes and encouraging clear communication across the betting industry for the last 20 years. They handle approximately 6,500 cases per year, throughout the UK and many more online cases across Europe.

Head of adjudication Brian Wright told me that “Ibas put the consumer first, long before it became fashionable.” It’s important for customers to have somewhere to turn if they feel they haven’t been fairly treated and receive an impartial and independent decision.

"As a betting shop manager I always endeavour to prevent or deal with any disputes at shop level, but if that is not possible I know that Ibas will deal with any issue with the utmost integrity.

My next stop is with a relatively new charity called YGAM (Young Gamblers Education Trust) which was launched four years ago. They are funded by industry operators and all donations go directly into the charity. Their main purpose is to ‘inform, educate and safeguard young people against problematic gambling and social gambling’.

YGAM believe that early education is key to preventing gambling issues further down the line and regularly visit schools, colleges and youth centres across the UK. With online social gaming now a part of daily life for many young people, I really feel this sort of education is key to enhancing understanding and supporting young people with the ability to make informed choices and awareness of the risks involved.

YGAM’s chief executive Lee Willows said: “We will continue to focus on education – last year that involved 60,000 young people, our long term target is to make that one million.”

Andy Margett, known for his helpful Twitter and YouTube engagements with problem gamblers, has been a part-time YGAM trainer for some six months. He told me: “It’s my first visit to ICE, it’s incredibly busy but also fascinating.”

Next up is a chat with Rob Mabbett, a previous winner of the Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year. For the last six months he has been working for a charity called the Gordon Moody Association which offers unique residential treatment for problem gamblers in the UK.

Again this charity is funded by industry operators and aims to create a close relationship with them to discover exactly what their customers needs are. Serious problem gamblers are offered a 12 week specialist residential treatment in a non-judgemental, positive and hugely supportive atmosphere.

Rob Mabbett, a previous winner of the Betting Shop Manager of the Year, has been working with the Gordon Moody Association

This is then followed up by an outreach support programme to help prevent relapse and offer continuing support. This type of gambling therapy removes severely affected gamblers from their current situation and provides them with a safe and caring environment where they receive committed and effective treatment.

Rob said a key objective during Ice was "to drive support for our new Gambling Therapy app". He explained that they were looking "to further develop meaningful relationships with various gambling operators".

With responsible gambling and player protection a major focus within our industry I feel we have made huge changes to how we approach this. Yes, there is still much work to be done but we are definitely heading in the right direction.

GamCare has been going 21 years and was promoting its new Safer Gambling Standard. The new accreditation sets out to recognise gambling operators who go above and beyond the requirements of gambling industry codes of practice.

With providers such as GamCare working closely with many operators across the industry, supplying information and advice, not only to customers but also educating betting shop staff, together we are all working towards the prevention of problem gambling.

Ice concludes on Thursday when it runs from 10am until 4pm

If you are concerned about your gambling and are worried you may have a problem, click here to find advice on how you can receive help