GambleAware announces increase in treatment through its support platform 

GambleAware has reported an increase in the number of people receiving treatment through its National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) platform.  

Statistics published by the gambling harm prevention charity shows 10,754 people underwent some form of treatment via the NGSN between April 2023 and March 2024, up 12% from the previous year.  

Of that total, 3,291 people had exclusively Tier 2 treatment, which offers early intervention and support to those worried about their gambling and may involve speaking to a trained NGSN professional.  

A further 6,931 people recieved Tier 3 treatment, which could include one-to-one support, group treatment or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).  

There was also an overlap of 3,048 people who recieved both Tier 2 and Tier 3 treatment from the NGSN. 

A further 532 people were given the NGSN’s most extensive Tier 4 treatment, which necessitates a stay at a residential treatment centre.  

The median age for those receiving Tier 3 or Tier 4 treatment from the NGSN was 36, despite the most common age bracket being 30-34 (20%), with 70% of recipients being male.  

There was also an uptick in the number of people reaching out to the NGSN due to another person’s gambling, termed “affected others” in the report. 

The rate of affected others looking for support was 15% for 2023/2024, while the average rate for the past five years has been 13%. 

As per the report, nearly a quarter (24%) of people looking for treatment were in some form of debt due to gambling losses, with 42% of people having debts of £5,000 or more. 

Around 24% of treatment seekers had experienced a gambling-related relationship breakdown, and 11% had experienced a job loss because of their gambling.   

GambleAware’s research showed the treatment proved to be effective for those who received it.  

The data highlighted that 95% of those who completed their treatment saw an improvement in their gambling behaviour, with the rate of problem gambling falling from 87% to 10% compared to pre-treatment assessments.

It was noted that people were able to quickly access NGSN support when it was requested.  

Of those seeking treatment, 50% were given an appointment within the first six days of making contact, and 75% received their appointment within 12 days.

GambleAware’s chief commissioning and strategy officer Anna Hargrave praised the charity’s efforts to expand its reach to more people in need of help. 

She 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 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.   

“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,” she added. 

A spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) told EGR: “Betting and Gaming Council members have donated over £170m over the last four years to tackle problem gambling and gambling related harm.

“This record contribution helps sustain a network of entirely independent third sector RPT providers, which currently treat around 85 per cent of all problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain. All RPT donations only go to charities accredited by the independent regulator the Gambling Commission to deliver these services, and BGC members have no say on how the money is spent.

“Each month around 22.5 million people in Britain enjoy a bet, on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls and online, and the overwhelming majority do so safely and responsibly. The most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4 per cent of the adult population are problem gamblers.”