Ten Point Plan to transform prevention of gambling harms
A new approach to prevention is needed to address the gambling industry’s predatory business model, according to a London South Bank University researcher.
Dr Thomas Mills, an expert in public health research, launched a ‘Ten Point Plan for Gambling Harm Prevention’ at Parliament last week, in collaboration with Gambling with Lives (GwL), a charity founded by families bereaved by gambling suicide.
Gambling-related harm affects millions of people each year, either directly or indirectly, and carries a high risk of suicide. Few people who need support receive it, and in many cases, professionals lack the awareness or confidence to support those at risk.
Chapter One, an information and support initiative for anyone affected by gambling, was developed by GwL, together with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and will now operate across the UK.
The initiative aims to rewrite the story of gambling, shifting from the dominant “responsible gambling” narrative to a public health approach, providing full information on the addictive nature of modern-day, commercialised gambling, and how and where to get support and treatment.
Dr Mills said: “Public health is only recently entering the gambling harms space. Prevention and education have been left to the gambling industry, which represents a huge conflict of interests. There is a lot that can be done through messaging, education and support, but the narratives must be right.
“In this respect, Chapter One is groundbreaking in its counter to industry framing. We fully support this further step towards the multi-levelled public health approach that we desperately need.”
Tom has worked with GwL and colleagues at PHIRST South Bank to develop the Ten Point Plan, based on public health principles, evidence and the insights of people with lived experience of gambling harms. A PHIRST South Bank evaluation of Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s regional gambling harms reduction strategy, completed in 2023, highlighted promising alternative approaches to harm messaging and education. The Ten Point Plan builds on this learning.
Recommendations include:
- Population-wide public health campaigns that remove shame and stigma. These need to inform about the addictive nature of gambling and the industry’s business model and practices.
- Policy action to restrict the availability and promotion of harmful gambling products.
- NHS gambling harms clinics complemented by community-centred support organisations.
- Schools, frontline services, sports clubs and community organisations to work together as health-promoting settings to enhance protections and better support individuals.
- Every child to be educated about gambling harms and their causes.
- Immediate access to treatment and support for anyone experiencing gambling harms.