Gambling is staking money, or something of value, on the outcome of something involving chance. Gambling activities can include arcades, esports and video games, betting shops, online betting, gaming machines, lotteries, bingo, casinos and other common types of gambling. Gambling harms affect thousands of people across England but the North East faces the greatest risk. National estimates suggest that 3.8% of people are at elevated risk from gambling. In the North East, that figure rises to nearly 5% of people aged 16 and over - the highest rate of at-risk gambling in the country. These people experience a range of negative consequences, from financial hardship to serious mental health challenges.
To explore the scale and impact of gambling harms in the region, read the Regional Health Needs Assessment for Gambling.
What are gambling harms?
Gambling harms are any negative consequence or side effect experienced because of gambling. They may be felt by the person who is gambling or may be experienced by those close to them, such as a family member, friend or colleague, known as ‘affected others’. For each person who experiences gambling harm, on average six others are affected - often partners and children.
Whilst anyone can be harmed by gambling, it does not affect everyone equally. The harms from gambling are varied and may also be interconnected. They include:
- Increased stress and poor mental health (such as anxiety, depression and suicide risk).
- Financial hardship, debt, asset loss and bankruptcy.
- Relationship breakdowns due to increased conflict, issues with trust and stress associated with harmful gambling. There are also links between gambling and domestic violence.
- Reduced performance and absenteeism in education and in the workplace.
- Stigma and shame associated with gambling behaviour.
- Threatening behaviour, damage to property, fraud and theft.
The Association of Directors of Public Health in the North East (ADPH NE) Gambling Harms Programme aims to tackle the harm caused by gambling in the North East with a coordinated regional approach. The Programme received funding that originally came from a gambling operators’ penalty but was redirected by the Gambling Commission - called a ‘regulatory settlement’.
Gambling harms are complex, and prevention approaches need to move away from ‘personal responsibility’ to population-wide social, economic and environmental interventions. Messaging from the gambling industry often sets the narrative by placing responsibility onto the individual to address harmful gambling, despite the many ways gambling products are designed to be addictive. This can lead to increased stigma and shame and create additional barriers to help-seeking behaviour.
The Regional Office, a team hosted by Middlesbrough Council, supports the 12 Local Authorities in the North East to pilot prevention approaches to help reduce gambling harms. The Programme has developed resources which include awareness raising materials and evidence summaries to support practitioners in local authority settings.
Eight key priority areas have been established under the Regional Office:
1. Support and Partnerships – Responding to requests from local authorities and wider stakeholders to support understanding of gambling harms and embed prevention activity.
2. Advocacy – Contributing to the shaping of policy at a local, regional and national level by promoting a public health approach to support those impacted by gambling harms and to build an environment that prevents future harm.
3. Media, Communications and Education – Raising awareness of gambling harms and aiming to reduce stigma.
4. Treatment – Promoting regional treatment services and referral routes for residents and professionals across the North East of England.
5. Data, Research and Evaluation – Develop and create evidence bespoke to the North East and contribute literature to the national evidence base regarding gambling harms.
6. Licensing – Supporting planning and licensing colleagues to create environments that prevent future gambling harms.
7. Protecting Young People – Recognising the risks of gambling to children and young people, and developing resources to support caregivers to reduce risks of gambling harms.
8. Lived Experience – Co-producing all outputs with the Lived Experience Forum, made up of members from across the Region. This ensures all outputs reflect real-world experiences and have maximum impact.
To learn more about gambling and gambling harms, please use the ADPH NE Gambling Harms slide deck or access free Making Every Contact Count (MECC) and Gambling Harms training here.
You may also be interested in these national resources:
2. Advocacy – Contributing to the shaping of policy at a local, regional and national level by promoting a public health approach to support those impacted by gambling harms and to build an environment that prevents future harm.
3. Media, Communications and Education – Raising awareness of gambling harms and aiming to reduce stigma.
4. Treatment – Promoting regional treatment services and referral routes for residents and professionals across the North East of England.
5. Data, Research and Evaluation – Develop and create evidence bespoke to the North East and contribute literature to the national evidence base regarding gambling harms.
6. Licensing – Supporting planning and licensing colleagues to create environments that prevent future gambling harms.
7. Protecting Young People – Recognising the risks of gambling to children and young people, and developing resources to support caregivers to reduce risks of gambling harms.
8. Lived Experience – Co-producing all outputs with the Lived Experience Forum, made up of members from across the Region. This ensures all outputs reflect real-world experiences and have maximum impact.
To learn more about gambling and gambling harms, please use the ADPH NE Gambling Harms slide deck or access free Making Every Contact Count (MECC) and Gambling Harms training here.
You may also be interested in these national resources:
- Local Government Association (LGA): Tackling gambling related harm: A whole council approach.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE): Gambling-related Harms: Identification, Assessment and Management.
- OHID Gambling treatment and support in England: main findings and methodology.
- Gambling Commission Young People and Gambling report.
Learning from others
The North East Programme was inspired by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and ADPH Yorkshire and the Humber to share findings and best practice. The three regional programmes collaborated on a Language Guide to promote language choices that reduces the stigma associated with gambling.
Building the evidence
The Programme will be evaluated and this will contribute to the evidence base on actions to reduce gambling harms, which is currently dominated by gambling industry narratives. The team is working with local partners to explore the wide range of healthcare services and practitioners who may be in contact with gamblers or people affected by gambling and educational toolkits for schools and communities etc. To learn more, see this academic paper co-authored by Fuse researchers or view a free slide deck that summarises the latest research on gambling harms.
The North East Programme was inspired by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and ADPH Yorkshire and the Humber to share findings and best practice. The three regional programmes collaborated on a Language Guide to promote language choices that reduces the stigma associated with gambling.
Building the evidence
The Programme will be evaluated and this will contribute to the evidence base on actions to reduce gambling harms, which is currently dominated by gambling industry narratives. The team is working with local partners to explore the wide range of healthcare services and practitioners who may be in contact with gamblers or people affected by gambling and educational toolkits for schools and communities etc. To learn more, see this academic paper co-authored by Fuse researchers or view a free slide deck that summarises the latest research on gambling harms.
Lived experience
The Programme also facilitates a Lived Experience Forum to help shape work happening across the region. If you have experienced gambling harms, either directly or as an ‘affected other’ and are based in or from the North East, this is open to you. If you would like to influence the work being done to tackle gambling harms in the region, please email GHR@middlesbrough.gov.uk.
Stay in the loop
The ADPH NE Gambling Harms newsletter includes news about events, new research, resources like podcasts and documentaries, and ways to get involved. Join the newsletter mailing list by contacting GHR@middlesbrough.gov.uk or complete the sign-up form here. New resources can also be found on the ADPH NE Gambling Harms website.
Treatment and support
Visit the Gambling Harms MECC page to find treatment, support and blocking tools. For some people in recovery from gambling harms, treatment may be the best option, whereas peer support groups may be better for others. Professionals can refer directly into these services. This may make it easier for those needing treatment and support to take the first step on their recovery journey.
