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Recent research by GambleAware sheds light on the West Midlands, showing that the region faces a greater risk of problem gaming compared to other parts of the country.
GambleAware’s latest report highlights West Midlands as being the region most vulnerable to gambling harms. The research shows that approximately 168,000 adults, or 3.9% of local residents, in the West Midlands are affected by problem gambling. This is a 25% increase over the national average and indicates a serious problem in the West Midlands.
These data serve as a warning, highlighting the urgent need for proactive and supportive systems to tackle problem gambling in West Midlands. GambleAware hopes to reduce stigma and encourage public discussion by bringing this issue into the spotlight.
The stigma of gambling addiction is a major factor in the refusal to seek help. GambleAware research shows that 75% people with problem gambling are uncomfortable discussing their problems with friends and family. Feedback suggests that 35% of people choose to avoid those who are suffering from gambling harms because of the stigma.
Dr. Joanne Lloyd is an Associate Professor at the University of Wolverhampton and a gambling harms specialist. She stresses the impact of stigma in seeking treatment. She says, “Stigma in relation to gambling is a huge issue as it is the largest barrier to people seeking treatment.”
GambleAware launched a comprehensive campaign to combat stigma, recognizing its importance in keeping people from seeking help. This campaign is designed to encourage people who have had gambling problems to speak up and seek out the help and support that’s available.
Andrew Rhodes is the Chief Executive of the UK Gambling Commission. He has endorsed the initiative. He praised the GambleAware campaign and said, “Acknowledging that it takes courage to start a conversation about gambling, all efforts to remove barriers to address gambling harms are appreciated.”
GambleAware stresses the importance of making sure that people affected by problem gambling, both in the West Midlands as well as across Great Britain, are aware of all the support services they can access. They aim to reduce stigma and increase awareness to create a safe environment for people to seek help.
The Chief Executive Officer of GambleAware Zoe Osmond highlights this point. She says, “Our stigma campaign works to encourage people open up about gambling experiences and seek out the free support and help that’s available.” Osmond acknowledges the crucial role of support services for individuals with problem gambling.
In the West Midlands, and across the nation, the government has also taken steps to protect people who are at risk of harm from gambling. Stuart Andrew, Minister for Gambling acknowledges that stigma can be a barrier when it comes to seeking help. He stresses the importance of being open about your gambling problems and of informing other people when you are struggling.
In their gambling whitepaper, the government demonstrates its commitment to combating problem gambling. This includes measures that address gambling harms. Recent initiatives such as the introduction of stake limits on online slot machines demonstrate their commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals.
