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

2. 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

3. 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 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

4. 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 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

5. Who is most vulnerable to become a problem gambler?

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.