Gambling Support Service

Citizens Advice Scotland was initially funded by Gamble Aware to roll out the Gambling Support Service (GSS) across Scotland from April 2020 to March 2022.

The project delivers training to frontline workers to help them recognise when people are at risk of, or experiencing, gambling harms. GSS also supports people in accessing specialist support and treatment services and it aims to raise awareness of gambling harms across Great Britain.

Around half of adults in Britain take part in some form of gambling without any harm being caused. But for some people and their families, gambling harms are a serious issue, with wide-reaching consequences.

Training and awareness sessions and additional client support are provided by four Training and Engagement Officers based in four participating bureaux – Airdrie, Inverness, Badenoch & Strathspey, Southwest Aberdeenshire and West Lothian - who work regionally and collaboratively to provide nationwide coverage of the service.

In almost any advice-giving or welfare setting, there is a unique opportunity to spot the signs or root causes of particular issues. Clients may discuss financial or relationship issues, but may need some extra support if their underlying problem is with an addictive issue such as problem gambling.

Frontline workers can make a big impact by recognising and addressing problem gambling, and by being well informed on industry support tools and specialist organisations offering treatment and therapy. Giving people access to good quality debt advice and support with problem gambling can significantly increase their ability to manage money and change behaviour.

GSS runs trainer led sessions on Zoom covering the following areas:

•             Impact of gambling harms in Great Britain

•             Ways to recognise gambling harms in people, including affected others

•             Guidance on using screening tools

•             Resources and referrals to treatment service

The training is very flexible and can be adapted to a smaller or larger number of people.  This project has now been extended until March 2025