Problem Gambling Evidence September 2017 Office of the Director of Public Health, Sheffield City Council

What is “problem gambling” Frequent Repeated Dominates lives Disrupts personal, family or vocational pursuits Associated with health harms, divorce, unemployment, bankruptcy, domestic violence and intergenerational impacts for children of problem gamblers

What types of gambling cause problems? Spreadbetting Poker games Betting on sports or events Betting with a betting exchange Playing machines in a book makers For 11-15 year olds, “fruit machines” are the most commonly accessed formal gambling activity. Online gambling are more likely to be problem gamblers than those attending premises. Problem gambling is more common in mixed-mode gamblers

How big a problem is it? “At risk” gambling 4.8% = low risk (men) 1.7% = moderate risk (men) 1.6% = low risk (women) 0.4% = moderate risk (women) “Problem gambling” 1.0% men 0.2% women 0.6% total 16-24 year olds 7.3% = low risk 2.3% = moderate risk 2.4% = problem gambling (young men) 1:20 Around 1 in 20 people aged 16+ in general practice report problem gambling at low or moderate severities Men have higher gambling prevalence than women with young men having the highest problem gambling prevalence

Who is most vulnerable to become a problem gambler?

What is the gambling environment like in Sheffield? Type of premise Number in Sheffield Betting office 82 Track betting 4 Bingo hall 3 Adult gaming centre 13 Casino 5 Total 107 Data source Finch, S. (2017) 44% of betting shops in Sheffield are in areas amongst the 20% most deprived in England; 35% of betting shops in Sheffield are in areas that are amongst the 20% most income deprived in England; (source Brennan, Cooper 2016)

How can the gambling environment be changed? Licensing Applying licensing conditions to premises if there are concerns about the Gambling Act 2005 three licensing objectives Planning Using Article 4 directions under the Town and Country Planning Order 1995 to restrict proliferation and clustering

How can you tell if someone is a problem gambler? Bet Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money? Lie Have you ever had to lie to people important to you about how much you gamble? Yes to either or both indicates a problem

What help is available for problem gamblers? The Best Evidence is for Psychosocial interventions Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in reducing gambling behaviour. There is some evidence for Motivational Interviewing. Debt Management Treat debt holistically as part of wider issues – addressing debt alone is detrimental. Industry-led and self-help Self exclusion (although with multiple operators this can be difficult) Pre-set time limits and cash limits (if adhered to) Peer support Gamblers Anonymous and SMART Recovery UK offer groups in Sheffield Some medicines may be effective.