Gambling harms charity GambleAware has highlighted that there’s been a 12% increase in people using its support compared to the previous year.
A total of 11,000 users were treated through the GambleAware-commissioned National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024. Around 7,500 of them received ‘structured’ treatment such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), one-to-one support or residential care.
The NGSN report also outlined the number of people receiving early intervention for gambling harms for the first time. A total of 3,291 people used the early intervention service to only discuss their gambling habits, while 3,048 went on to receive further treatment after that.
Among those enlisted in the treatment, two-thirds (66%) said they’ve been put in debt due to gambling, 24% lost relationships, while 11% were left without a job pointing at gambling as a direct cause.
