News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

World News

Report reveals harms associated with gambling cost society at least £1.27 billion a year

by Cara Bentley
Man online shopping gambling laptop.jpg - Banner image

The harms caused by gambling laden a huge economic burden on England and have significant links with alcohol and suicide, according to a new report. 

In 2019, the Department of Health and Social Care commissioned Public Health England to do a review of the harm caused by gambling. The review includes the most comprehensive estimate of the economic burden on society, revealing that it cost at least £1.27 billion in 2019 to 2020 in England alone. This includes the first estimate of the economic cost of suicide (£619.2 million) and the cost of homelessness associated with harmful gambling (£62.8 million).

The review shows that people in areas of higher deprivation are more at risk of being harmed by gambling, and may already be experiencing greater health inequalities. Also, only 35.4 per cent of non-drinkers participated in gambling, compared to 74.4 per cent of those consuming over 50 units of alcohol (or 16 pints of beer) per week. 

 

When it comes to suicide, the report found that gambling can increase the likelihood of some people thinking about, attempting or dying from suicide and that people who had mental health issues were twice as likely to participate in harmful gambling than people with none. Evidence suggests that people with gambling problems are at least twice as likely to die from suicide and that men are 4.2 times more likely than women to be gambling at levels of elevated risk of harm. 

PHE says harmful gambling should be considered a public health issue because of the risks to individuals, families and wider society, and that the focus should be on prevention, early intervention and treatment. 

The new Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) will work with government departments, including the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to address the knowledge gaps, improve data collection and deliver an effective response.

The Bishop of St Alban's, Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith, who has long campaigned on this issue, said: 

"The fact that those from the North East and North West of England are significantly more at risk of problem gambling compared to the South shows that levelling up is about more than simply pumping money into left-behind regions but about reforming those sectors like gambling that disproportionately affect deprived communities.

"Reforming the gambling sector would reduce the burden on the taxpayer and allow money to be re-directed to fixing those regional health inequalities by better funding treatment, research and education."

Gambling Minister and MP for Croydon South Chris Philp said: "We are gathering all the necessary evidence to reset the balance between giving adults the freedom to choose how they gamble safely, with the right protections for those at risk of harm.

"We are determined to protect vulnerable people from exploitation by aggressive advertising or unfair practices that entrench problem gambling."


 

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate