Key points:
- The National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) has supported 110,000 people since it launched in 2023
- Brief interventions have seen a 93% increase in the second year of operations
- The average wait time for the first assessment is holding steady at two days
The National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) has seen referrals increase by over 50% in its second year of operations.
Launched in 2023, the NGSN has helped over 110,000 people across three tiers of support.
The NGSN uses a ‘region first’ approach, meaning it utilises local support services for people.
Anna Hargrave, GambleAware Deputy Chief Executive, said: “The second year of the National Gambling Support Network presented an opportunity to take the learnings from year one and focus on how we can best support those affected by gambling harms.
“We’ve seen an increase in the number of people being supported and importantly, an increase in brief interventions and self-referrals, which means we can support people earlier and reduce the potential for further harm.
“The expertise within the network is unrivalled and providers play a key role in helping people across the country, whether that be at the start of their journey, or supporting them at the end. We look forward to working with the future commissioners and the NGSN with the integration of the network into the future system to ensure providers can continue offering their crucial services.”
Brief Interventions (BI) focus on short-term strategies and early engagement to deter the issue from getting worse or serve as a signpost for additional help.
These have almost doubled with a 93% increase, with 21,000 people receiving this in the second year of operations.
Joy Allen, Durham Police & Crime Commissioner, said: “Gambling, like any addiction, has the power to completely control the lives of those affected and those closest to them. It can negatively impact individuals financially, emotionally, socially and in terms of their mental wellbeing.
“We need to think of gambling addiction in the same way in which we think of and support those with drugs and alcohol addiction. It is an illness that can lead people to commit crime to feed their addiction and those in its thrall need rehabilitation, not censure.
“It can certainly lead to abject misery. It is estimated that there are nearly 500 gambling-related suicides a year in England, highlighting the urgent need to encourage more people to seek help.”
Good to know: The average waiting time for the first assessment is two days across the National Gambling Support Network
Another gambling-related charity, Ygam, has recently partnered with TSB Bank to launch a new initiative to educate young people on the harms of gambling.
Allen continued: “In 2023 around 5% of the North East population aged over 16 was classified as an ‘at risk’ gambler, often spending more than they afford and chasing losses leading to financial strain, anxiety and stress.
“In response, and in line with the priorities I’ve placed on tackling gambling harm, Durham Constabulary has signed the National Gambling Charter which commits the Constabulary to providing specialist training for its officers so that they can identify those at risk and signpost them towards support.
“I urge other organisations to do the same. Collectively we can, and will, do more.”
GambleAware commissions the National Gambling Support Network (NSGN) which provides free confidential treatment, as well as the National Gambling Helpline which takes over 55,000 calls a year.
