- The GambleAware-commissioned National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) has seen a 12% increase in people treated for gambling harm compared to the previous year.
- Of those who completed their treatment for their own gambling, 95% saw an improvement, with the rate of people experiencing ‘problem gambling’ falling from 87% at the start of treatment to 10% by the end.
- Half of people who contacted the NGSN seeking treatment had their first appointment within six days of making contact and three quarters within twelve days.
GambleAware, the leading charity and strategic commissioner of gambling harms prevention and treatment services in Great Britain, has today published the latest annual report for the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN), which shows an increase in the number of people treated for gambling harm through the network.
The new report shows that almost 11,000 people received support or treatment from the NGSN between 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024. Of those, almost 7,500 received structured treatment such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), one-to-one support or residential care. This was a 12% increase in the number of people with gambling harm who received treatment from the previous year. This year, for the first time, the report also outlines the number of people who received early intervention for gambling harm, with 3,291 people receiving early intervention and support to talk about their gambling, and 3,048 people who received early intervention and then went on to receive treatment.
The NGSN is commissioned by GambleAware and provides free, confidential treatment and support services for gambling harm, working with the NHS and other third sector organisations. It offers a range of integrated, holistic treatment and interventions which are tailored to an individual’s specific needs. The network operates across in England, Scotland and Wales, and is available for anyone who is experiencing harm from gambling, including those affected by someone else’s gambling. The NGSN offers three tiers of treatment and support:
- Tier 2 - initial early intervention and support for people worried about their gambling, which may involve speaking to a trained professional from one of the NGSN’s regional or national services who will give initial support and if treatment is required talk people through their options.
- Tier 3 – which could include forms of treatment such as one-to-one support, group treatment, or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Tier 4 – the most specialised and intensive level of care within the NGSN, where a person stays at a residential treatment centre.
The report also shows the speed with which people received support from the NGSN, with 50% of people looking for treatment having their first appointment within six days of making contact with the NGSN and 75% within twelve days.
Outcomes from treatment were also overwhelmingly positive, with 95% of those who completed their treatment seeing an improvement. Among those who completed treatment, the rate of ‘problem gambling’ fell from 87% to 10% between initial assessment and completion of treatment.
The figures in the report also show the severe harms that gambling can have on all parts of people's lives. Among people receiving treatment for their gambling, two thirds (66%) reported being in debt due to gambling, 24% had experienced a relationship loss, and 11% had experienced a job loss because of their gambling.
As well as the increase in the number of people treated, the report also showed a trend where the proportion of clients seeking help from the NGSN due to another person’s gambling (known as affected others) has increased over time. The rate of affected others seeking support was higher for the year at 15% than the past five-year average of 13%.
Anna Hargrave, GambleAware Chief Commissioning and Strategy Officer, said: “In 2023, we launched new commissioning arrangements that expanded the NGSN’s scope to include prevention and early intervention, in addition to treatment. This means that our services are now working much more closely with local communities, reducing stigma and removing the barriers to accessing treatment.
“Not only have we reached more people, we have been able to identify and support people at a much earlier stage and that is part of the reason why we have seen an increase in people receiving treatment and support. Our new commissioning arrangements also included the addition of the Primary Care Gambling Service who work closely with our third sector providers enabling us to support more people across the NGSN.
“We look forward to the introduction of the statutory levy on gambling operators and the future gambling harms commissioning system, and we will continue to work in partnership with all those in the sector including the NHS.”
Professor Dame Clare Gerada, Director of the National Primary Care Gambling Service said: “We work closely with third-sector organisations and charities to care for patients and their affected others experiencing gambling-related harms. Working as part of the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN), we share our clinical expertise and skills in gambling-related harm to those network members and learn from each other. This allows us to enhance the care all of us can provide to patients and ensures those experiencing gambling harm receive the most appropriate care and support when needed.”
The National Gambling Support Network is available for anyone who is experiencing harm from gambling and wants support for it, including people who are affected by someone else’s gambling. All services are free and confidential. For more information, search GambleAware or contact the National Gambling Helpline, available 24/7, on 0808 8020 133.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Treatment isn’t the only option to help people and is usually only necessary in more serious cases of gambling harm. Many people get in touch with the National Gambling Support Network for advice, tools and support, often through the GambleAware website. In the period covered by the report, the GambleAware website had over 1.7 million visitors, many of whom looking for support and advice. GambleAware also has a self-assessment tool on its website, which has been completed by over 110,000 people since it was launched in April 2023.
About GambleAware
GambleAware is the leading independent charity and strategic commissioner of gambling harm education, prevention, early intervention, and treatment across Great Britain (Charity No. England & Wales 1093910, Scotland SC049433).
GambleAware commissions the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN), a group of organisations across Great Britain which provides free, confidential treatment, as well as the National Gambling Helpline which takes around 52,000 calls and online chats a year. Our prevention programmes are major behaviour change campaigns, education and training programmes, and our website offers support advice and tools for those experiencing gambling harm.
As an independent charity, GambleAware has a robust system of governance processes in place, is accountable to the Charity Commission, and works to hold the gambling industry to account. The gambling industry has no input, no ability to influence any of our outputs nor authority over any of our activities.
Gambling harms can affect anyone, and not just those who gamble, but also their families and communities. These harms particularly affect communities that already face inequality.
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