Gambling experts have voiced significant concerns that as many as 1.65 million children in the UK are growing up in households where an adult is grappling with gambling problems.
This figure emerges from the latest YouGov data gathered for the “Annual GB Treatment and Support Survey 2023,” commissioned by GambleAware. The survey is part of ongoing research, initiated in 2019, aimed at understanding the demand for and usage of advice, support, and treatment by those affected by gambling, whether directly or indirectly.
The insights from this survey are vital for GambleAware to identify gaps in treatment support services and understand the broader societal impacts of gambling-related harm. A key highlight of the 2023 survey is its pioneering data on the long-term consequences of problem gambling on individuals and their families.
The research data on problem gambling in households
A particularly notable finding is that 7% of the adult population, or approximately 3.6 million people in Great Britain, are classified as “affected others” — individuals negatively impacted by someone else’s gambling. The data shows that women are more likely than men to be affected (8% versus 6%). Additionally, it is estimated that up to 1.2 million people still experience an urge to gamble, with 130,000 currently suffering from the effects of past gambling behaviors.
The survey, based on a quantitative method, included 18,178 adults from across Great Britain, of whom 2,135 had a PGSI score of 1 or higher, indicating some level of gambling-related problems. This was supplemented by qualitative research, involving 45-minute interviews with 30 participants, including both current and former gamblers.
Problem gambling responses were measured using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), which classifies individuals on a scale from 0 to 27. The survey is conducted annually during the same time frame to ensure consistency in year-on-year comparisons.
At a population level, the survey revealed that 61% of British adults had participated in some form of gambling in the past year, equating to roughly 31.4 million people. On a monthly basis, around 47%, or about 24.2 million adults, reported gambling activity.
The findings show that 13.1% of adults, or approximately 6.8 million people, were experiencing some level of gambling problems (PGSI 1+), a slight decrease from the 13.4% reported in 2022. Among these, 2.9% were classified as problem gamblers (PGSI 8+), 3.5% were experiencing moderate harm, and 7% had low-level harm (PGSI 1-2). Notably, 65% of those in the problem gambling category (PGSI 8+) sought advice, support, or treatment, a figure that has remained stable over the years.
Demand for treatment and support continues to grow, with 23% of those experiencing gambling problems (PGSI 1+) seeking help, up from 16% in 2021 and 19% in 2022. For those in the PGSI 8+ category, the demand is even higher at 66%.
The link between problem gambling and suicidal thoughts
The survey also highlighted a concerning link between severe problem gambling and the risk of suicidal thoughts, with 44% of PGSI 8+ respondents identified as high risk for suicide, compared to just 8% of the general population.
In response to these findings, GambleAware has called for a comprehensive national prevention strategy that includes stricter regulations on gambling advertising, mandatory health warnings, and a public health approach that focuses on prevention, early intervention, effective treatment, and aftercare.
The survey also focused on the impact of gambling on children and young people, especially regarding household environments and early exposure to gambling. New questions in the 2023 survey sought to understand the age at which individuals were first negatively affected by gambling. The results showed that 19% of those currently affected reported first experiencing negative impacts from gambling before the age of 18, with 74% of these cases linked to a parent’s gambling behavior.
The research estimates that 58% of those experiencing problem gambling have children in their household, compared to 39% among those with any level of gambling problems (PGSI 1+). On average, households with someone experiencing problem gambling had 1.1 children under 18, leading to an estimated 4.7 million children in Great Britain being affected by someone else’s gambling.
GambleAware continues to advocate for effective treatment, education, and support, while also urging policymakers to address the normalization of gambling in everyday life to protect children and young people from its harms.
Zoë Osmond, Chief Executive of GambleAware, emphasized the need for a strategic approach, stating: “The figures published today in our Treatment and Support Survey highlight the impact of the normalization of gambling across society on individuals, families, and communities. The research shows a concerning link between early exposure to gambling at a younger age and the risk of harms in later life, and for the first time shows the lasting impact legacy harms can have. 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.”
Osmond reiterated the call for a government-led strategy, increased investment in prevention and treatment programs, and stronger regulation of gambling advertising.
