GambleAware Finds 1.6M Children Living in Homes with Gambling Problems

GambleAware, the leading gambling harm prevention and treatment charity, released its latest Annual Treatment and Support Survey, highlighting how gambling harm can affect children and young adults. Concerningly, the new report, which marks the fourth such survey, uncovered that up to 1.65 million children in Great Britain are currently living with a person who is experiencing some form of problem gambling.

The charity confirmed that the latest report contains 18,000 responses from an annual survey by YouGov. This new data helps highlight “patterns related to early exposure to gambling harms,” as explained by GambleAware. Besides 1.65 million children being exposed to gambling from a young age, the research revealed that such children are four times more likely to experience problem gambling later in their lives.

Dame Rachel de Souza, children’s commissioner for England, commented on the topic explaining that it is good to see the recognition of gambling harm as a serious public health issue. De Souza added: “GambleAware’s latest report demonstrates that there are millions who are at risk and that more needs to be done to protect them.” She spoke about the importance of analyzing the impact of gambling on children and young people.

Moreover, De Souza said that the impact of online gambling and the risks it creates among children is incredibly concerning. Finally, the executive said: “If we allow gambling to be normalized 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.”

The Charity Reiterates Importance of Gambling Advertising Ban

Zoë Osmond, GambleAware’s chief executive, shared the concerns expressed by De Souza. She revealed that the results of the recent report “highlight the impact of the normalization of gambling across society on individuals, families and communities.”

Osmond said that the latest release of GambleAware’s Treatment and Support Survey reaffirms a concerning trend that links early exposure to gambling activities with increased risks of gambling harm later in life. “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 gambling harm,” added Osmond.

In light of the results of the new research, GambleAware once again urged for the implementation of a “robust national prevention strategy, including increased regulation on gambling advertising such as mandatory health warnings, and a public health approach that incorporates prevention, early intervention, effective treatment and aftercare.”

According to the charity, a ban on gambling advertising can help combat effectively gambling harm and problem gambling, while improved health warnings can help raise further awareness of the issue.