Whilst councils do not have a direct role in the provision of treatment for gambling related harm, it is increasingly seen as an issue that requires a public health approach and is something that many of our Members have concerns about. Problem gambling can impact on individuals and their families’ physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing as well as having a wider impact on society through crime and disorder.
The Health Survey statistics indicate that in 2016, 0.7 per cent of people in England (approximately 300,000 people) identified as problem gamblers, with 3.6 per cent (approximately 1,610,000 people; 6.6 per cent of gamblers) at low or moderate risk based on their gambling. Due to limitations in how this data is collated, it is likely these estimates are conservative, and may not capture some vulnerable population groups such as homeless people and students.
Previous research by Leeds Beckett University for Leeds City Council has concluded that gambling behaviour and problem gambling are not equally distributed across England and that certain areas - such as large urban metropolitan areas - experience higher rates of problem gambling.
The Gambling with Lives charity has also highlighted the link between gambling and suicide, although there is currently a lack of clear evidence to support this.
We are aware that Public Health England (PHE) has been commissioned to undertake a review of evidence on gambling related harm in England including the prevalence, determinants, and harms associated with gambling, and the social and economic burden of gambling-related harms. Evidence from this review should be used to inform government action on gambling related harms. Councils should also have access to data about problem gambling at the local level to inform decision making.
Whilst councils are not responsible for treating gambling addiction, there are several ways in which councils can try to support those individuals and families who are experiencing harm from gambling without taking on responsibility for treatment. This is in addition to their statutory licensing responsibility to try to prevent local gambling premises causing harm through gambling.
The LGA has developed guidance for councils on developing a ‘whole council’ approach to tackling gambling related harm which sets out where councils might be coming into contact with people impacted by problem gambling through a range of services, including housing and homelessness, financial inclusion, children’s services and addiction services. The guidance also explores how councils can work with local partners and build links with support organisations to help develop specific local referral routes and ensure these can be accessed from across the full range of local services.
Councils should ensure that frontline staff are given training, so they recognise potential cases and direct residents to the national treatment network via the National Gambling Helpline. As frontline awareness and identification of harmful gambling develops, councils can develop a better understanding of the extent of the problem, its impacts, and associated costs.
Public health teams can play a role in ensuring that this data, and related data about at-risk groups, is collected and shared. They can also work with local partners and through health and wellbeing boards and clinical commissioning groups to develop a coherent approach to harmful gambling, including focused preventative work.
The LGA supports the introduction of a mandatory levy on gambling firms, to help fund a significant expansion of treatment and support for those experiencing gambling related harm throughout the country. This would help to ensure continuity and security in the funding for these services which would in turn enable planning for the provision of treatment and services. This should be based on the ‘polluter pays’ principle, so those companies and sectors of the market causing the greatest harm should pay the most. While the commitment from a small number of large operators to increase contributions to one per cent is welcome this should be put on a statutory footing. This view is supported by other organisations, including GambleAware, the charity responsible for minimising gambling-related harm.