Safer Gambling workshops rolled out across the racing industry

Last year during Safer Gambling Week, Racing Welfare announced a partnership with leading independent gambling harm minimisation consultancy, EPIC Risk Management.

The pioneering project aims to raise awareness of, minimise and ultimately prevent gambling-related harm within the racing industry and to create an understanding of how gambling can be enjoyed safely and responsibly.

Since the launch of the project, to date nearly 50 educational training sessions have taken place, reaching more than 600 people from all corners of the horseracing industry, including trainers, secretaries, stable staff, racecourse staff and young learners from the British Racing School.

Sessions have been delivered at various workplaces and venues across the country, with regular sessions also taking place at the National Horseracing College for Foundation Course students. David Fernandez, Lead Skills for Life Tutor fed back: “Our groups say that the EPIC presentation is one of the best things on the evening programme, and I’m sure it makes them all think about gambling – especially those who already have a few accounts with the bookies and how it can impact whilst pursuing a career within the racing industry.”

Crucially, 99% of survey respondents reported good or excellent awareness of the potential harms of gambling as a result of attending one of the sessions, and 95% reported good or excellent awareness of how to recognise the signs of harmful gambling.

The workshops are free to anyone working in the horseracing and Thorougbred breeding industry and can be arranged at a workplace upon request. Those interested are invited to contact Senior Programme Manager Liam Dyche: ldyche@epicriskmanagement.com, 07923 056861.

There is also an online module on the Racing2Learn platform: https://racing2learn.com/course/view.php?id=348

Find out more: https://racingwelfare.co.uk/info-support/free-gambling-awareness-workshops/