According to GambleAware, more individuals are using the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN), and the number of people seeking treatment for gambling damage has increased by more than 10% over the previous year.
In response to the annual report, the gambling support charity’s Chief Commissioning and Strategy Officer, Anna Hargrave, stated that part of the reason for the increase in people receiving support and treatment is that the service has “been able to identify and support people at a much earlier stage”.
The Annual Statistics for the National Gambling assistance Network report covered the period from April 1st, 2023 to March 31st, 2024 and detailed the number of persons who got treatment and assistance from the NGSN.
The study also discussed the profiles of persons who got treatment and support, the specifics of treatment results, and treatment and support trends over the previous nine years.
The NGSN, commissioned by GambleAware, provides free, confidential treatment and support services for gambling damage in collaboration with the NHS and other third-party groups.
These therapies and interventions, which operate in England, Scotland, and Wales, are targeted to an individual’s unique requirements and are offered to anybody suffering from gambling damage, including those affected by someone else’s gambling.
NGSN therapy and support are divided into three stages. Tier two consists of “initial early intervention and support for people worried about their gambling, which may involve speaking to a trained professional from one of the NGSN’s regional or national services who will give initial support and if treatment is required talk people through their options” .
Tier three caters to “forms of treatment such as one-to-one support, group treatment, or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)” , whilst Tier four is defined as “the most specialised and intensive level of care within the NGSN, where a person stays at a residential treatment centre” .
According to the yearly data, the NGSN treated or supported 10,754 persons. Of that number, 7,463 got organized treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, one-on-one assistance, or residential care.
The latter statistic shows a 12% rise in the number of persons who got treatment for gambling-related damage over the previous year. However, the study said that “approximately half of this increase is accounted for by the inclusion of an additional service provider – the Primary Care Gambling Service,” in the Data Reporting Framework.
“Not only have we reached more people, we have been able to identify and support people at a much earlier stage and that is part of the reason why we have seen an increase in people receiving treatment and support.”
GambleAware Chief Commissioning and Strategy Officer Anna Hargrave
According to the study, the total number of patients receiving treatment was 3,291 for Tier 2 therapy only, 6,931 for Tier 3 treatment, and 532 for Tier 4 treatment. Among those getting Tier 3 or 4, 3,048 clients also received Tier 2 therapy.”
Of the nearly 7,500 persons who got treatment for gambling harm, 6,225 gambled, while 1,214 were affected by someone else’s gambling or were at risk of developing problematic gambling conduct.
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According to the research, the number of persons seeking help as a result of another person’s gambling has “increased over time and was higher this year (15%) than the past five-year average of 13%”.
For the first time, the yearly statistics included data on how many people got early intervention for gambling-related damage. 3,291 persons received early intervention and help to discuss their gambling, whereas 3,048 received early intervention followed by therapy.
Hargrave stated, “In 2023, we implemented new commissioning arrangements that broadened the NGSN’s mandate to encompass preventive and early intervention, in addition to treatment. Our programs are now working directly with local communities to reduce stigma and remove barriers to treatment.Not only have we reached more individuals, but we have also been able to identify and help people at a far earlier stage, which is contributing to an increase in the number of people seeking treatment and support.
Our new commissioning arrangements also included the inclusion of the Primary Care Gambling Service, which collaborates closely with our third-party providers and allows us to help more individuals throughout the NGSN.
“We look forward to the introduction of the statutory levy on gambling operators and the future gambling harms commissioning system, and we will continue to work in partnership with all those in the sector including the NHS.”
According to GambleAware, another noteworthy finding from the yearly statistics report is that 95% of individuals who finished their therapy felt an improvement. Between the first evaluation and treatment completion, the rate of problem gambling decreased from 87% to 10%.
The NGSN research also revealed that 50% of those seeking treatment received their first appointment within six days of contacting the program, while 75% received their first appointment within 12 days.
Among individuals getting gambling therapy, 66% reported being in debt, 24% lost a relationship, and 11% lost their job as a result of their gaming.
Professor Dame Clare Gerada, Director of the National Primary Care Gambling Service, stated, “We collaborate closely with third-party organisations and charities to care for patients and those affected by gambling-related harms.”
“As part of the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN), we share our clinical experience and skills in gambling-related damage with network members while also learning from one another. This enables us to improve the care we can all deliver to patients while also ensuring that individuals who have been harmed by gaming receive the most appropriate treatment and assistance when needed.”
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