UK: 90% improve after NGTS problem gambling treatment

GambleAware has produced its first full report on Britain’s National Gambling Treatment Service.

UK.- The charity GambleAware has produced its first complete report on the National Gambling Treatment Service (NGTS).

Analysing 9,005 clients that completed NGTS treatment between April 2019 and March 2020, it found that 90 per cent saw their Problem Gambling Severity Index (PSGI) score improve after treatment.

Moreover, 60 per cent of those that had been classed as problem gamblers were no longer classed as such by the end of their treatment.

The NGTS is the network of free-to-use treatment services which includes GamCare’s online and telephone treatment services; the Gordon Moody Association’s residential treatment and the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust’s problem gambling clinic for severe cases.

It is coordinated and funded by GambleAware.

GambleAware reported improvements in the proportion of clients completing scheduled treatment, which rose from 59 per cent in 2015-16 to 69 per cent in 2019-20.

The rate of clients who dropped out of treatment fell from 35 per cent to 24 per cent.

The body said that 90 per cent of referrals to the treatment programme were made by the individual concerned. Half of all referrals were seen within three days, and 75 per cent within eight days of referral.

The majority of those treated through the NGTS in the period analysed were online players (69 per cent), with sports betting being the most popular online product (25 per cent of all clients).

GambleAware chief executive, Marc Etches, said: “The publication of this detailed analysis of the impact the National Gambling Treatment Service can have on people receiving support is a significant milestone.

“GambleAware commissioned ViewItUK to independently collate and analyse output and outcome data, which will allow GambleAware to rigorously evaluate these outcomes on the basis of robust and comparable evidence.

“We are committed to informing the development of best practice and outstanding care for those experiencing gambling harms in Great Britain, and the data reporting system we are pioneering is designed to be made available to the NHS, Public Health, local authorities and other statutory and voluntary sector agencies to meet the needs of local communities.”

GambleAware recently defended its “Tap Out” safer gambling campaign from criticism from politicians.