1xCare and FEJAR partner to expand access to gambling harm support services

1xCare and the Federación Española de Jugadores de Azar Rehabilitados (FEJAR) have entered into a Memorandum of Partnership aimed at supporting the prevention of gambling-related harm and exploring ways to improve access to assistance. The collaboration focuses on responsible gambling education, player well-being and the development of support pathways for people affected by gambling-related problems and their families.

The memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation between the two organisations. Its initial area of interest is the potential to strengthen access to FEJAR’s online therapy and support services, particularly for people who encounter geographical or other barriers to receiving assistance in person.

The agreement brings together two organisations with different roles. 1xCare focuses on research, education, technology and player well-being, while FEJAR has experience in prevention, rehabilitation and support for people affected by gambling-related difficulties. Their proposed cooperation falls within 1xCare’s Support and Well-Being pillar.

The arrangement is intended to provide a basis for examining practical opportunities for cooperation rather than transferring responsibility for professional care from one organisation to another. Both organisations are expected to retain their independence throughout the partnership.

Online therapy is an initial area of focus

Access to appropriate support can be an important consideration for people experiencing gambling-related difficulties. In-person assistance may not always be convenient or available, particularly for individuals who live far from specialist services or face other practical obstacles.

FEJAR already provides information about online therapy through its established support structure. The initial cooperation with 1xCare will explore opportunities to strengthen access to these services, with the objective of making appropriate assistance more accessible to people who may otherwise encounter difficulties reaching it.

Online support can offer an additional route to professional assistance, although the suitability of any particular service depends on individual circumstances and the provider's procedures. The partnership framework does not, by itself, establish new treatment programmes or guarantee that services will be available to every person who seeks help.

The focus on existing support services also places emphasis on the experience and professional knowledge already held by FEJAR. Rather than defining therapeutic methods externally, the proposed approach recognises the importance of allowing specialist organisations to determine how their services are delivered.

Any practical measures arising from the memorandum will depend on further discussions and the necessary agreements between the parties.

Professional independence and safeguarding remain central

A central feature of the memorandum is the separation of support activities from commercial interests. According to the agreement's stated framework, FEJAR will retain full responsibility for its professional methods, therapeutic processes and decisions concerning individual beneficiaries.

This distinction is particularly relevant when a support initiative involves organisations connected to the gambling industry. People seeking assistance should be able to access support according to their needs rather than being expected to endorse a gambling product, operator or commercial service.

The memorandum states that assistance provided through the partnership will not be conditional on endorsing commercial products or operators. It also provides that the initiative will not be used for marketing or customer acquisition. These safeguards are designed to distinguish assistance from promotional activity.

The framework further states that neither 1xCare nor any donor will receive access to beneficiaries or influence over individual care decisions through the partnership. Maintaining this separation is intended to protect the privacy of people seeking help and preserve the professional independence of the organisation responsible for delivering support.

Confidentiality and data protection are also addressed. The agreement provides for beneficiary confidentiality and data protection in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Any specific processing of personal data will require further arrangements, rather than being assumed to follow automatically from the memorandum.

The broader legal context includes the European Commission’s GDPR guidance and information published by Spain’s gambling regulator. These resources provide relevant context for understanding data-protection obligations and the wider support environment.

Leaders emphasise responsibility and independent care

Simon Westbury, chairperson of 1xCare, described responsible gambling as a core commitment and highlighted the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between supporting people and directing their care.

“Responsible gambling is a commitment; it is non-negotiable and sits at the centre of everything we do,” said Simon Westbury, chairperson of 1xCare. “This partnership is built on independence and respect for FEJAR’s expertise. Our role is to help strengthen access to support for people affected by gambling-related harm, not to direct how that support is delivered.”

His comments reflect the memorandum's emphasis on cooperation without interference in professional treatment decisions. They also indicate that the intended role of 1xCare is to help explore ways to improve access to assistance while respecting the expertise of the organisation providing it.

Gerardo Rodríguez Velo, president of FEJAR, also stressed the importance of prevention, accessible services and the well-being of affected individuals and their families.

“At FEJAR, we believe that preventing gambling-related harm requires a strong commitment to prevention, accessible support and the well-being of affected individuals and their families. This partnership offers an opportunity to explore ways to strengthen access to support services, while safeguarding FEJAR’s professional independence and ensuring that the needs of beneficiaries remain at the centre of our work.”

FEJAR's position places the needs of people seeking assistance at the centre of the proposed collaboration. The emphasis on professional independence also makes clear that cooperation does not remove FEJAR's responsibility for its own service delivery.

“1xCare is focused on demonstrable and meaningful change across all the responsible player protection touchpoints,” added Westbury. “We look forward to working alongside FEJAR and other organisations that share the goal of better protecting players.”

Further initiatives will require separate agreements

The memorandum serves as a framework for cooperation rather than a complete operational agreement. Any specific initiative, including funding arrangements, defined services or the processing of personal data, will be subject to a separate written agreement, proportionate due diligence and the governance procedures of both organisations.

This approach leaves the practical details to be established through further work. It also means the memorandum should not be interpreted as confirmation of a particular funding amount, an agreed delivery timetable or guaranteed treatment outcomes.

The partnership is non-exclusive, allowing both organisations to maintain their independence and pursue other appropriate relationships. Each party remains responsible for its own governance and decisions.

Westbury's reference to working with other organisations also indicates that 1xCare's wider approach is intended to involve cooperation across responsible gambling and player protection initiatives. The memorandum with FEJAR provides one framework through which that objective may be explored.

Conclusion

The partnership between 1xCare and FEJAR establishes a framework for exploring how access to gambling-related support could be strengthened, beginning with FEJAR's online therapy services. Its stated priorities include prevention, accessibility, professional independence and protection for people receiving assistance.

The agreement's emphasis on confidentiality and the separation of support from commercial promotion is particularly important. By reserving therapeutic decisions for FEJAR and requiring separate agreements for specific initiatives, the framework sets out boundaries for the proposed cooperation while leaving operational details to be determined.

The significance of the partnership will ultimately depend on the initiatives the organisations agree to implement and how those initiatives serve people affected by gambling-related harm. For now, the memorandum represents a stated commitment to exploring cooperation while keeping individual needs, privacy and independent professional care at the centre of the process.

FAQs

What is the 1xCare and FEJAR partnership about?
The partnership establishes a framework for cooperation on gambling-related harm prevention, responsible gambling education and improved access to support services.

What is 1xCare?
1xCare is an organisation focused on responsible gambling and player protection through research, education, technology and well-being support.

What is FEJAR?
FEJAR is the Federación Española de Jugadores de Azar Rehabilitados, a Spanish federation involved in gambling-related harm prevention, rehabilitation and support for affected individuals and their families.

What is the initial focus of the partnership?
The initial area of cooperation is exploring ways to strengthen access to FEJAR's online therapy and support services.

Will the partnership introduce new therapy programmes immediately?
The memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation. Specific services and initiatives require further agreements and should not be assumed to have launched solely because the memorandum was signed.

Will FEJAR retain control over its therapeutic services?
Yes. The partnership framework states that FEJAR will retain responsibility for its professional methods, therapeutic processes and decisions concerning individual beneficiaries.

Will people receiving support have to endorse gambling products?
No. Under the stated framework, access to support will not be conditional on endorsing commercial products or gambling operators.

Can 1xCare or donors access the personal information of beneficiaries?
The memorandum states that 1xCare and donors will not receive access to beneficiaries or influence individual care. Any specific personal-data processing requires a separate written agreement and appropriate safeguards.

Does the memorandum guarantee funding or a specific service timetable?
No. Funding, defined services and other specific initiatives will require separate written agreements and the relevant governance procedures.

How can people in Spain find FEJAR support services?
FEJAR provides information about its services through its official website. Its published support and information telephone number is 900 200 225. Individuals should consult FEJAR directly for current service eligibility and assistance options.