Leading charities the Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) and Betknowmore UK have joined forces to launch Safer Gambling Training, a purposeful new programme to provide gambling industry employees with specialist online training to strengthen play protection standards and effectively safeguard consumers from gambling-related harm. The resources have been developed using a methodology known as ‘flipped learning’ derived from Neuroscience studies on how the brain learns.

The collaboration combines specialist knowledge, lived experience insight and research to create what is believed to be the most advanced and comprehensive training programmes globally. Six interactive digital training modules have been released which cover key topics including customer vulnerability, safeguarding, customer interaction,  identifying harm and employee mental health and well-being.

The training content is all relevant to the Gambling Commissions latest LCCP requirements and has received funding from regulatory settlements to support the delivery of the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling-related Harms. The Canada-based Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) is also involved in the alliance acting as independent evaluation partners.

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Lee Willows, Chief Executive of YGAM said “Our journey with Betknowmore UK has been humbling. Together we have been fortunate to work with a number of operators to deliver face-to-face training over the last twelve months and so having a strategic alliance to continue this and combine with digital learning seems a good natural progression.  Player protection and understanding customer vulnerability is an area we know operators want to upskill their staff in.”

“Safer Gambling Training will support the customer facing teams by increasing their understanding gambling-related harm through the lens of lived-experience. We are working with international partners to scope an International Standard that colleagues within the sector can take with them throughout their career, and which includes regular mandatory updates and refresher courses.”

Frankie Graham, Chief Executive of Betknowmore said: “Companies operating in the gambling space require trained employees providing consistent, high level and trusted customer service. Our aim with this new training programme is to help raise standards and create a benchmark of knowledge and understanding of gambling-related harm.

We have developed content with collaboration from those with lived experience of gambling, combined with the insight and knowledge from our partner organisations who are experts within their sector. We will continue to develop our programme, ensuring it remains fit for the changing, dynamic gambling market, with the ultimate purpose of keeping players safe and free from harm.”

Design agency Me&You are designing a new Safer Gambling website and eLearning content. All profits made by Safer Gambling Training will go back into the two charities to support their social purposes.

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Visit www.safergamblingtraining.com for more information.