What we’re doing
Our research aims to identify insights and recommendations that can improve the way we scope, design and deliver support and treatment services, as well as prevention programmes and campaigns. We focus particularly on understanding population needs, outcomes and lived experiences among the communities that we seek to serve.
We publish an annual statistics report on the National Gambling Support Network, which provides an overview of the people receiving treatment, and how they engage with services across different organisations. We also commission evaluations on specific treatment and support services.
Our research in this area
Our research brings together facts and figures from the National Gambling Support Network, evaluations of treatment services and early intervention programmes, and research on informal types of support such as digital and self-help tools.
Read about our commissioned projects to understand more about the different support, treatment services and tools helping people experiencing gambling harms, who’s using them and how effective they are.
Annual Statistics from the National Gambling Treatment Service (Wales) 2022/2023
Evaluation of the Gambling Support Service Scotland
Self-help Strategies for Reducing Gambling Harms: Scoping Study
Primary Care Gambling Service Pilot Evaluation: Final Report
of people who completed treatment through the National Gambling Support Network see an improvement.
How our research is driving change
These are some of the ways our research is helping us to understand and improve the support and treatment services offered to people experiencing gambling harms.
Identifying gaps in knowledge
Research and evaluations often show us where there are gaps in existing research. For example, a scoping study highlighted that people from LGBTQ+ communities in Great Britain are more likely to experience gambling harm, so we’re currently carrying out research on their lived experiences to gain more insights.
Another scoping study highlighted that there is limited understanding of what self-directed tools and strategies people experiencing gambling harm in Great Britain use, would like to use and are effective. So, we’re currently carrying out further research, interviewing and surveying people in Great Britain to understand what informal tools and strategies they are using or would like to use to reduce their gambling harm.
Identifying gaps in knowledge
Funding opportunities
We advertise all our live funding opportunities on our website.
Funding opportunities
Understanding gambling within minority communities
A very large research programme explored the experience of gambling harm among marginalised and minoritised groups in Great Britain. It demonstrated, for the first time, that racism and discrimination increase the likelihood of a person experiencing gambling harm, and that people from minority communities are more likely to use gambling to cope with challenges relating to their experience of racism and discrimination in Great Britain.
This research is now informing the priorities of activities we commission and tools we’re developing.
Read the latest updates on support and treatment services on our news page.
- Thousands supported and short waiting times highlighted on one year anniversary of the National Gambling Support Network
- Gambling harms support delivered by third sector helped nine out of 10 improve condition - annual statistics reveal
- Evaluation of gambling harm advice service in Scotland evidences stigma as a barrier to identifying and asking for support for gambling harm
