GambleAware study reports increase in problem players seeking help

According to a new GambleAware study, the percentage of problem players seeking treatment has increased significantly over the past year.

In its annual GB Treatment and Support study, GambleAware found that 63% problem players had sought treatment, advice or support in the past 12 months, compared to 54% in the 2019 study.

The new study also found that compared to the same period last year, the number of reported treatment utilization increased from 43% to 53%, and the amount of support and advice among problem players increased from 39% to 48%.

Barriers to seeking treatment for problem players include stigma concerns and perceptions that such treatment will not be available, with 22% responding to the former and 15% to the latter.

Key motivations for those seeking treatment included knowledge that support was available through a specific channel (29%), awareness of the ease of accessing support (22%) and reassurance that treatment and support would be confidential (16%).

“It is gratifying to see that year after year a number of those classified as 'problem players' are seeking help, especially during the pandemic,” said GambleAware CEO Zoe Osmond. “These results will be used to inform the new GambleAware deployment strategy as we continue our work to increase the number of services provided and access to them.

"The significantly increased sample will allow GambleAware to better tailor existing support services to meet local needs and allow us to better support local authorities and health commissioners."

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