GamCare has published the independent evaluation of its Money Guidance Service (MGS), a pilot programme launched in 2022 to support individuals and families struggling with the financial consequences of gambling. The report demonstrates that the service is filling a critical gap between gambling recovery support and conventional debt advice, which often fails to meet the needs of those affected.
Since its launch, the MGS has supported 1,741 people, with 439 receiving personalised one-to-one sessions. These interventions have enabled participants to build effective budgets, prioritise spending, and even recover more than £77,000 in unclaimed benefits. Many reported reduced anxiety, improved mental health, and renewed financial stability. One client described being able to save money monthly, while another shared that they were able to book a holiday for the first time in years.
The evaluation also highlights systemic impact, including 55 training sessions for 270 GamCare staff and nearly 4,000 uses of the money guidance toolkit. However, it also identified areas for growth. Only 9% of those supported were family members, suggesting a need to extend services to “affected others.” Gaps in debt advice provision also led to recommendations for gambling-specific training for advisers or developing in-house expertise.
Stakeholders and service users praised the programme as “refreshing” and “essential,” noting that its tailored approach avoids strategies that may worsen gambling risk, such as conventional income maximisation. The evaluation recommends reframing the service to emphasise recovery and long-term planning while embedding follow-up sessions to address lasting impacts of gambling.
The report concludes that, with sustainable funding and expanded delivery, the Money Guidance Service could become a permanent feature of the National Gambling Support Network, providing much-needed support for individuals and families across the UK.
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