GambleAware has released new interactive maps to show gambling harms at local authority and parliamentary constituency level across Great Britain.
The research showed only 16.7% of people in Scotland are saying they are experiencing problems with their gambling access treatment, support or advice, which is lower than the 20.9% average across Great Britain; while in terms of people who seek help, the figure was also lower in Scotland (15.5%) than the Great Britain average (19.4%).
The most common reason, in the research, that people in Scotland seek help for gambling problems is due to the impact on their finances (29.2%).
It was also found that 60.5% of people in Scotland had participated in any form of gambling in 2022, which is slightly above Great Britain’s average of 60.3%, with Glasgow City having the highest rate of people gambling with negative consequences across Scotland.
Zoë Osmond, Chief Executive of GambleAware, said: “Gambling harms can affect anyone, and we are concerned to see that fewer people are accessing treatment and support in Scotland.
“As the leading gambling harms charity in Great Britain, we’ve published these maps and data to provide information to help address treatment and support needs in local communities.
“Some people may not have reached out for help because they are unsure of where to find it, but anyone concerned about their gambling, or that of a loved one, can search GambleAware for free, confidential advice, tools and support. The National Gambling Helpline is also available on 0808 8020 133 and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
This data is being released by GambleAware following the launch of a Government consultation on a statutory gambling levy.
