New data released today reveals how many people have been supported by the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) since its launch in 2023, with data also showing an increase in self-referrals by over 50% in year two. Waiting times for a first assessment are also shown to be offered after an average of just two days.

Since April 2023, the NGSN has supported over 110,000 people over the two years since launch. This is based on the number of individuals who accessed services including the National Gambling Helpline, regional providers, primary care and residential services.  These fall into three tiers of support (Tiers 2-4) including assessments, brief interventions, extended brief interventions (EBI), treatment sessions, reviews and aftercare.

The impact of a region-first approach, which is designed to deliver local support and services for people, and access to providers with knowledge and understanding of the local community, can be seen through more individuals accessing support directly from their local provider, with self-referrals into the system increasing by over 50% since launch.

Brief Interventions (BI), which involve short-term strategies aimed at addressing gambling harms through time-limited conversations, allow early engagement and support before challenges escalate, and offer advice and signposting to further help if required.  Increasing early support has been central to the NGSN and as a result, these have seen a significant rise in the second year of the Network, having nearly doubled with a 93% increase, from 11,000 to over 21,000 people receiving a meaningful intervention.

Person-centered support means that people are also accessing the service that works for them and around their personal lives and circumstances, such as peer support, group work and 1:1 therapy. The average waiting time for a first assessment is now an average of two days across the network.

Through increases in outreach and engagement activity and improvements to tools such as the GambleAware service finder to enhance awareness of support available amongst frontline professionals and the public, individuals are more likely to engage with local support services directly.

Since the launch of the GambleAware service finder website in July 2024, we have seen an estimated 21,000 people directed to NGSN provider referral options, which includes links to email addresses, phone numbers, self-referral forms and websites.

Those with the most severe cases of gambling harm will often require Tier 4 treatment, which is the most specialised and intensive level of care within the NGSN, where a person stays at a residential treatment centre.

Jackie Menzies, from Southport, is one person who has benefited from the support of the NGSN and its tier 4 care. Jackie started gambling when he was 20, and after realising that the effects of gambling harms were having an impact on his mental health and wellbeing, he was directed to support from Cheryl Williams at NGSN provider, Adferiad, with the service he received described as “lifesaving.”

Jackie, now 38, said: “I owe Cheryl and the team at Adferiad my life.

“From the moment I was introduced to them, I was contacted, informed, and treated with respect and understanding for both myself and my addiction. I was guided and informed of what options might be available to me and how I might be able to get help.

“I had treatment at their Parkland Place Centre and from the empowering attitudes of the staff, I have enrolled in a Level 3 counselling course at my local college, and I’m looking to the future to be able to help people who are suffering from addictions like I am to grow and be able to find peace and happiness again.”

Anna Hargrave, Deputy Chief Executive at GambleAware, says: “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.”

Significant work has gone into improving the support and care individuals receive, with the NGSN delivering a range of successful interventions, from increased prevention activities and community-based early interventions to continued development on expanding more efficient pathways into structured treatment. In so doing, this has ensured and enabled more people to access support and achieve strong outcomes, through a no wrong door system to reducing the impact of gambling harms.

Joy Allen, Police & Crime Commissioner for Durham and vocal advocate for prevention of gambling harms, 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.  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.”

The National Gambling Support Network is available for anyone who is experiencing harm from gambling and wants support for it, including people who are affected by someone else’s gambling. All services are free and confidential.