Thousands supported and short waiting times highlighted on one year anniversary of the National Gambling Support Network

• New figures from the GambleAware commissioned National Gambling Support Network show that people were offered a treatment session in just three and a half days on average. 
• It comes as new data released for the one year anniversary of the launch of the Network also reveals the number of calls to the National Gambling Helpline in January 2024 reached the highest monthly level on record. 
• The Network is encouraging people to join the over 28,000 people who have been supported via brief interventions through the National Gambling Helpline since April 2023, and the thousands* who have been supported through their local service provider.  

Thursday 11th April 2024: People seeking support for issues with gambling were offered a treatment session with a trained professional in three and a half days on average between October and December 2023, according to new figures from the GambleAware commissioned National Gambling Support Network. The data also shows that organisations within the Network, who are highlighting the free support that is available ahead of this weekend’s Grand National, contacted those seeking treatment in just 1.3 days on average in the last three months of 2023.

New data from the National Gambling Helpline also shows that there were more calls and online chats made in January 2024 than any previous month on record – the sixth time the record has broken since the beginning of 2023 – with 4,816 calls and online chats made across the month.

Additional data from the National Gambling Helpline, reveals that over 28,000 (28,175) people have been supported via brief interventions – conversations of 20 minutes or more – since April 2023.  

The GambleAware commissioned National Gambling Support Network comprises 11 different organisations across Great Britain. Services within the Network offer a seamless experience for people using them locally, regionally and nationally. It offers a range of support for people experiencing harm from gambling - whether their own or someone else’s - including residential treatment, one-to-one support and cognitive behavioural therapy, amongst others. The service was recommissioned in April 2023, and was expanded to include additional services for people across Britain including peer-to-peer support, support with recognising gambling harms among GPs, as well as other concerns linked to gambling, such as debt advice and financial support.

Additionally, a recent YouGov survey** of over 5,000 UK participants, reveals that people are most likely to choose weekly support sessions with a trained professional as an effective way to reduce gambling harms. Out of the alternative options, two-thirds (66%) of people believe that sessions with trained professionals such as these would be an effective way to reduce harm caused by gambling. Six in 10 (59%) also said that tools to block access to gambling websites would be an effective way to control their gambling, and 58% chose speaking to a family member.***  

David Quinti, who was supported by organisations within the National Gambling Support Network, commented: “Having accessed support through Beacon Counselling Trust years ago myself, I know the positive impact these services can have in rebuilding people’s lives after experiencing gambling harm. Talking to a professional each week about what I was experiencing was an enormous step to help understand my relationship with gambling and, ultimately, help me recover from it. I would urge anyone who may be struggling with gambling to reach out.”

Anna Hargrave, Chief Commissioning Officer at GambleAware, comments: “The GambleAware commissioned National Gambling Support Network is designed to prevent the escalation of harms associated with gambling. The Network provides people with easy access to treatment and support wherever they are across Great Britain. It is heartening to hear the positive impact the services have on people’s lives and the difference they make. These essential third sector providers play a vital role for people across the country, and we look forward to continuing to share this expertise and experience alongside the NHS under the new system once a levy is introduced.”  

Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew said: “Being able to speak to someone if you're struggling with gambling is a vital tool in curbing gambling harms.

"The increase in calls to the National Gambling Helpline shows the importance of getting the right help in place for those who may be suffering.

"That's why in our white paper published last year we introduced a range of measures to prevent harms before they occur, including stake limits for online slot games and financial risk checks, as well as a levy on gambling companies to increase funding for research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms."

ADDITIONAL QUOTES

Matt Burgiss started gambling as a teenager, and as he grew older, he started to experience harm, which led to him losing large amounts of money and it impacting his health. Since then, he now helps people experiencing gambling harm: “The impact of gambling on the mental health of young individuals is concerning, prompting an urgent call to action. In today’s digital age, where accessibility to gambling platforms is widespread, it is important for not only young adults but for everyone to recognise that support is readily available. Quick and accessible support is really important for those grappling with the impacts of gambling addiction. Being able to access tools and support quickly can serve as a crucial line of support for people who may be struggling.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

• *Over 28,000 (28,175) people have been supported via brief interventions through the National Gambling Helpline since the NGSN was re-commissioned in April 2023.  The data from the National Gambling Support Network, commissioned by GambleAware, also showed the number of people supported via Brief Interventions increased by 113% - from 1,597 in Q1 23/24 to 3,396 in Q3 23/24. Brief Interventions involve short-term strategies aimed at addressing gambling harms, which are typically for more moderate concerns.  
• **The survey was conducted online, using YouGov’s panel. 5,075 UK participants were surveyed between the 29th January -15th February 2024. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all participants (aged 16+) in the UK by age, gender, social grade, region and ethnicity.
• *** People surveyed were asked how effective the following forms of support would be for reducing gambling harm: talking to a friend or family member (58%); tools that block access to gambling websites (59%); weekly sessions with a trained practitioner (66%); or self-help apps (29%).
• The average PGSI score (The Problem Gambling Severity Index), a widely used tool to assess the severity of gambling problems among individuals, dropped on average by 8.95 points (out of a possible 27) for those receiving treatment.
• The analysis mostly focusses on 4 key audiences: the general public, people who gamble without problems (PGSI 0), people experiencing low to moderate problems with gambling (PGSI 1-8) and those experience problem gambling (PGSI 8+). The average PGSI (The Problem Gambling Severity Index) score, is a widely used tool to assess the severity of gambling problems among individuals.  

About the National Gambling Support Network     

• The National Gambling Support Network is a collection of 11 organisations across Great Britain offering free, confidential support for anyone experiencing harm from gambling.  
• The Network offers range of integrated, holistic treatment options and interventions which are tailored to an individual’s needs. This includes one-to-one support from someone with lived experience of gambling harms; cognitive behavioural therapy with a trained practitioner; residential programmes; support for GPs in addressing gambling harms; long-term support groups and more. 
• The Network was commissioned by the charity GambleAware in April 2023 and comprises of Adferiad Recovery, Addiction Recovery Agency (ARA), Aquarius, Beacon Counselling Trust, Betknowmore UK, Breakeven, GamCare, Gordon Moody, NECA, the Primary Care Gambling Service and RCA Trust.