Gambling Harms
Gambling commission figures state that 48% of adults will have gambled in the past 4 weeks. The gambling market in Great Britain for April 22- March 23 was worth £15.1 billion. The PHE Gambling Related Harms Evidence 2021 review estimates 63% of Sandwell’s population would have participated in gambling in the previous 12 months
Gambling is classed as:
- Gaming: including card games, fruit machines, video-draw poker machines, slot machines, casino games, online apps and websites
- Betting: including sporting events, elections, snow on Christmas day
- Lotteries: including lotteries, instant scratch cards, raffles and bingo including those on social media .
- Speculation: gambling on business, insurance or stock markets
Problem gambling is gambling that ‘disrupts or damages personal, family or recreational pursuits.
Public Health England estimates that about 1 in a 100 people in the UK can be considered as a problem gambler, and that a further 4 in a 100 people are classified as at-risk gamblers,
Public Health England also estimates that more than 400 suicides per year may be associated with gambling harms.
Family, friends and work colleagues can be affected by gambling too.
West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic
The West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic is a free and confidential service open to anyone who:
- is 18 years old and above.
- is registered with a GP in the Black Country including Sandwell.
- Has problems with their gambling, resulting in harm to themselves and other people.
The service provides gambling treatment programmes delivered either virtually or at the clinic, as well as a digital programme which can be accessed 24/7.
They offer additional interventions for specific problems experienced by individuals, and support and advice to family members and carers.
The service is delivered by Inclusion, which is part of the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. They are a a clinical team made up of psychologists, therapists, mental health nurses and psychiatrists.
Access the secure online Professionals referral form for the Gambling Harms Clinic:
Self-Referral form for individuals:
Training Offer
In partnership with colleagues across the West Midlands the West Midlands Gambling Harms clinic have created a brief advice and guidance online awareness platform to support the development of understanding more about the clinic, the impact of gambling harms and how to make a quick referral into the team.
It takes around 15-20 minutes to complete and is full of resources. The ambition is to raise awareness of gambling harms and support more people to refer into the clinic for treatment.
Aquarius
The Adult Gambling Support Service which is available to support people 16 years and over affected by gambling, either their own or the gambling of a family member, partner or friend through 1:1 and group support sessions.
Email: gambling@aquarius.org.uk
Call: 0300 456 4293
Visit: aquarius.org.uk
