More than 1.5 million children affected by 'problem gambling', report finds: 'It can affect anyone'

Up to 1.65 million children are growing up in households where an adult is experiencing ‘problem gambling’, new research has revealed.

According to GambleAware’s new annual Treatment and Support Survey published today (21 August), huge numbers of British kids are regularly exposed to gambling – and such children are four times more likely to go on to experience problem gambling themselves.

Children’s commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza welcomed the “increasing recognition” of the toll placing a bet can take on children.

“I want to see far more attention given to the impact of gambling on children and young people,” she said. “I’m particularly concerned about new, easily accessible forms of gambling online that obscure the risks and the harms and are increasingly pervasive in children’s lives.”

“If we allow gambling to be normalised for young people through continued exposure to advertising and gambling activities in online games, we risk a long-term impact on their lives – on their mental or physical health, relationships or financial wellbeing.”

From high street shops to sports club sponsorship, betting and wagering is extremely common in the UK. Indeed, most British adults (58%) gambled at some point in the last year.

A flutter on the football might feel harmless. But the industry makes the vast majority of its profits from a small minority of ‘problem gamblers’.

According to today’s report, two in five (44%) of those experiencing ‘problem gambling’ are at high risk of suicidal behaviour. Previous research from the Gambling Commission showed that 41% of this group have experienced severe consequences – including relationship breakdown, significant financial loss, committing a crime or experiencing violence or abuse – in the last 12 months.

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Gambling’s addictive pull is strong, despite these terrible consequences.

Of those who used to gamble, 1.2m people still report the urge to do so, first-of-its-kind data revealed in the new GableAware report shows. Some 130,000 people are still experiencing harms now as a result of their previous experiences.

Speaking to the Big Issue last month, recovered gambler Natalie described how betting felt like an “escape” from her difficult family life.

“Gambling gives you a hit of dopamine,” she said. “If you’re vulnerable, if you’ve struggling with mental health, you crave those hits even more. People don’t realise just how addicted you can get… you gamble on your feelings.”

To tackle harm for anyone at risk across Britain, GambleAware has reiterated its call for a robust national prevention strategy.

The charity has proposed increased regulation on gambling advertising such as mandatory health warnings, and a public health approach that incorporates prevention, early intervention, effective treatment and aftercare. 

GambleAware’s chief executive Zoë Osmond urged people suffering from betting-related harm to speak up.

“The figures published today highlight the impact of the normalisation of gambling across society on individuals, families and communities,” she said.

“Gambling harms can affect anyone, which is why it is so important that we break down the stigma associated with it and encourage people to come forward and talk about harm.”

Whether experiencing harm directly or as an affected other, you can reach out to the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133. It’s available 24/7 and offers free, confidential advice, tools, and support. 

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