Agenda item

[To consider a briefing note on gambling related harm in Wolverhampton]. 

The Health Improvement Officer opened the presentation (a copy of the presentation is attached to the signed minute).  He explained that the landscape had changed regarding gambling addiction across the past 10 years with the addition of online based gambling applications coming to prominence. He set out an overview of Gambling and explained the definitions: Problem Gambling and Gambling Related Harms (GRH). GRH had been increasingly recognised as a public health issue but was not currently recognised as a public health responsibility for Local Authorities. Council’s responsibilities in regard to gambling were set out under the Gambling Act 2005, which covered licensed betting premises but did not cover online related gambling. The Council try to educate the public around Problem Gambling so the public can make informed choices. He then took the Panel through national statistics related to gambling behaviours. The Council asked local residents questions in a recent “City Lifestyle Survey”, of which 16% indicated they took part in a form of gambling. Of those that identified as moderate to problem gamblers, 28% suggested their gambling activities were related to alcohol consumption. 55% suggested their gambling was via remote gambling. The City of Wolverhampton Council were to look towards gaining a better understanding of gambling related activities in younger people across 2023 to 2024, in collaboration with the University of Wolverhampton. A ward-based map was displayed with statistics, these showed a high level of gambling licensed premises in wards with higher levels of poverty, whereas there were less or none gambling licensed premises in more affluent wards. Statistics taken from the National Survey covered, Mental Health, Suicide, Crime, Employment and Substance Misuse where they were related to Gambling. The Health Improvement Officer paused for questions.

A Councillor asked for further evidence to better confirm the possible link between alcoholism and gambling.

The Health Improvement Officer replied that the evidence was based off the National Statistics, which would indicate not a specific correlation between drinking and gambling, but the cultural associations the two combined within a social network/space can create a higher likelihood of the two issues. He then continued the presentation. Post-Pandemic, the Cost of Living Crisis had seen an increase in low level gambling in the City of Wolverhampton. The Council were currently looking to develop a local plan which would restrict gambling licensed premises opening in wards deemed “hot spot” areas. Between 2019 and 2022 in Wolverhampton, 70 residents accessed a form of secondary care treatment related to gambling, 74% of those who accessed the treatment were male. Nationally, education around gambling had been incorporated into parts of the Criminal Justice System Network, although no training had been incorporated into the Wolverhampton Criminal Justice System. Several secondary schools were reported as having delivered targeted education surrounding gambling as part of their curriculum. The Council were taking a lessons learned approach from the Alcohol Services team, in regards to gambling, and would take an approach which combined partnership working, data usage and education to try tackle harmful gambling related behaviours.

A Councillor asked if an age profile was available for the two groups, Problematic Gambling and GRH.

Health Improvement Officer replied that the current lack of data made it difficult to currently quantify, however, he referenced the data they did have which stated those aged being 25 and 34, excluding National Lottery, were the most effected by GRH. The current data available was national data, so going forwards, with more surveys and work, there was a need to gather Wolverhampton related data. The Director of Public Health reaffirmed the need to gather more data, so that targeted interventions could be delivered to the public.

A Panel member talked about the Council’s work to tackle digital exclusion and wanted to make sure that they did not invertedly help aid or increase those who gambled via online platforms addiction issues.

The Director of Public Health talked about partnership working and being a leader in Digital Strategy. He said the Digital Strategy was a major step in working in partnership to steer and educate people.

Further discussion occurred in the Chamber around the importance of Partnership working.

The Chair stated this was the final meeting of the municipal year and thanked the panel for the work they had done. Councillors thanked the Chair and Vice Chair for their work.