GambleAware survey shows increase in problem gamblers seeking support

The GambleAware survey found that 63 per cent of problem gamblers had used a treatment or support service in the past 12 months.

UK.- The responsible gambling charity GambleAware’s second annual GB Treatment and Support Survey has found an increase in the number of problem gamblers getting support.

The survey, carried out by YouGov, found that 63 per cent of problem gamblers said they used some form of support, advice or treatment in 2020 compared to 54 per cent in November 2019.

The number of problem gamblers remained similar to that identified in the first survey in 2019, at 2.4 per cent of the adult population. 

See also: GambleAware study: 5% of accounts represent 70% of British gambling yield

Gambling participation was found to have fallen, with the proportion of non-gamblers up from 39 per cent to 44 per cent. 

The use of treatment services reported by problem gamblers increased from 43 per cent to 53 per cent. Use of support and advice services increased from 39 per to 48 per cent.

Meanwhile, use of mental health services rose from 12 per cent 19 per cent, and the use of self-help apps or tools, such as self-exclusion tools, rose from 9 per cent to 14 per cent.

Online problem gambling support

Online problem gambling services were favoured by 44 per cent, with respondents citing discretion, convenience and less embarrassment as reasons, while 38 per cent said they found no difference between online and face-to-face services. 

Only 18 per cent of problem gamblers who had not used online services said they felt the services would be worse because of the lack of body language or eye contact. Meanwhile, 14 per cent cited obstacles to access support because of sharing devices with other people.

As for the reasons for failing to seek treatment for problem gambling, 36 per cent cited denial, down from 45 per cent in 2019.

Zoë Osmond, chief executive of GambleAware, said: “It is encouraging to see a year-on-year increase in those classified as ‘problem gamblers’ seeking help, especially during the pandemic. These results will be used to help inform GambleAware’s new commissioning strategy as we continue our work to increase provision of and access to services.

“The significantly increased sample will allow GambleAware to better tailor existing support services according to local need and allow us to better support local authorities and health commissioners.”