In a comprehensive report covering the year from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023, GambleAware has revealed that 6,645 individuals sought help from the National Gambling Treatment Service (NGTS). These annual statistics provide a detailed look at the challenges facing individuals with gambling-related issues and those affected by another person’s gambling habits.
The breakdown of the data shows a significant trend: a vast majority of 85%, translating to 5,621 people, received direct treatment from NGTS, whereas the remaining 15% were supported to cope with the consequences of someone else’s gambling. One striking finding is the prominent role of online slot games, which were the primary reason for 37.9% of those seeking treatment. Internet sports betting followed with 15.6%, and then fixed-odds betting terminals located in bookmakers’ shops accounted for 12.8%. Sports betting and gaming machines in bookmakers tallied at 10.1% each.
Further emphasizing the digital shift in gambling habits, the report highlighted that 67.2% of the consumers treated were doing so for some form of online gambling. In contrast, bookmaker-related cases made up 36.0%, casino gaming 8.9%, and adult entertainment centers 5.4%. Lesser concerns were flagged regarding gambling venues like pubs, bingo halls, family entertainment centers, and private members’ clubs.
Age-wise, the majority of those reaching out to GambleAware and the NGTS were under 75, with the 25-29 and 30-34 age brackets collectively representing 38% of all clients. Demographically, 69% of the clients were male, and the ethnic backgrounds were predominantly white at 90%, with Asian or Asian British at 6%, black or black British at 3%, and mixed race at 2%.
From an employment perspective, most clients who contacted the services were employed, making up 72% of the total. Those not employed due to long-term disabilities or illnesses constituted 12%. The unemployed represented 9%, with 2% retired, another 2% looking after family or home without working, and 1% being students.
The positive impact of the NGTS’s work is evident, with 64% of clients completing their courses, albeit slightly below the past five-year average of 67%. Of those who finished their treatment, a substantial 88% reported an improvement in their behavior. The instances of ‘problem gambling’ significantly decreased from 86% at the onset of treatment to 13% following treatment completion. However, there remained 28% of clients who dropped out before their treatment had officially ended, an improvement from 30% the year prior. Others were either referred elsewhere or discharged after assessment without requiring further treatment.
One of the key success metrics for the service is the speed of response, with half of the clients seen within five days of making contact, increasing to 75% within nine days.
Reflecting on the data, GambleAware’s chief commissioning and strategy officer, Anna Hargrave, emphasized, “Today’s data clearly demonstrates the value of the prevention-focused approach applied through our network.” Hargrave also pointed to recent figures from the Gambling Commission, suggesting that the prevalence of harmful gambling might be larger than previously estimated, which makes early treatment investment crucial.
Concurrently, GambleAware underscored the necessity for careful consideration regarding the proposed statutory levy detailed in the government’s Gambling Act white paper. The potential for such a levy, which requires operators to contribute to the Gambling Commission for research, education, and treatment of gambling harms, elicited calls from GambleAware for assurances that third-sector services would not suffer during the transition. GambleAware CEO Zoë Osmond advocated for the levy, expressing the organization’s longstanding support for it, but also underlined the pressing need for government assurance that essential services wouldn’t face jeopardy during this period of change.
As the consultation for the statutory levy approaches, the gambling community remains attentive to how these developments might reshape the landscape for those impacted by gambling harms and the organizations committed to supporting them.
