Key Moments:
- The percentage of adults seeking assistance for gambling-related issues has increased from 17% in 2020 to 30% in 2024.
- The estimated number of adults affected by someone else’s gambling has reached 4.3 million, rising from 6% in 2020 to 8% in 2024.
- More than a quarter of participants who engage in prize draws face some risk of gambling problems, with 11% estimated to have “problem gambling.”
Sharp Rise in Support Seeking for Gambling-Related Harm
According to GambleAware’s Annual Treatment and Support Survey 2024, there has been a notable increase in the number of adults who gamble and are seeking treatment, support, or advice for gambling harm. The proportion has grown to 30%, nearly doubling compared to the 17% reported in 2020.
Growing Impact on Families and Children
The survey indicates an expansion in the number of individuals affected by someone else’s gambling, climbing from 6% in 2020 to 8% in 2024, now representing an estimated 4.3 million adults in Great Britain. Estimates from the YouGov survey also suggest that around 2 million children may now reside in households with an adult encountering “problem gambling.”
Public Support for Stricter Advertising Guidelines
Survey findings reveal extensive support for tighter controls on gambling promotions directed at younger audiences. About 91% of respondents support a ban on gambling ads on TV and in video games, while 90% back similar restrictions for social media.
Concerns Over Prize Draws and “Problem Gambling” Prevalence
New data in the report highlights the risks associated with gambling-related prize draws. Among participants, 27% are experiencing some risk of gambling problems linked to these draws, and 11% are identified as encountering “problem gambling.”
Additionally, the rate of adults experiencing “problem gambling” has climbed from 2.4% in 2020 to 3.8% in 2024.
Responding to the Data
GambleAware, the primary charity addressing gambling harms in Great Britain, emphasized the significance of these increases, noting that they might signal a broadening public health concern. The organization also pointed out the rising proportion of individuals affected by the gambling behaviors of family members or friends, reporting an escalation from 6.5% in 2020 to 8.1% in 2024.
Stakeholder Reactions
Zoë Osmond OBE, CEO of GambleAware, said: “Gambling can be highly addictive, with devastating impacts on people’s lives, relationships and financial stability. While it is encouraging that more people have sought help, this rise may also point to a growing public health crisis. We are increasingly alarmed by how gambling is being normalised and how frequently people—especially young people—are exposed to gambling across Great Britain.
“To reverse this troubling trend, urgent preventative action is needed. This must include tougher regulation of gambling advertising to stop gambling being portrayed as ‘harmless fun’. There should also be mandatory health warnings on all gambling ads, stricter controls on digital and social media marketing, and a full ban on gambling promotion in stadiums and sports venues to protect children and young people from harm.”
Kate Gosschalk, YouGov Associate Director, said: “We are pleased to share the findings from the latest annual Treatment and Support Survey, a substantial online survey of around 18,000 people in addition to interviews with those who gamble. The new data provides valuable insight about gambling harm, including an increase in the number of people seeking support/treatment over the past five years.”
Gambling Harm Trends in Great Britain: Survey Data
| Indicator | 2020 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Adults seeking treatment/support/advice | 17% | 30% |
| Adults affected by someone else’s gambling | 6% | 8% |
| Adults experiencing “problem gambling” | 2.4% | 3.8% |
| Estimated adults affected by someone else’s gambling | Not specified | 4.3 million |
| Children living with adult “problem gamblers” | Not specified | 2 million |
| People at any risk from prize draws | Not specified | 27% |
| “Problem gambling” from prize draws | Not specified | 11% |
- Author
Daniel Williams
