GambleAware report reveals 92% success rate in problem gambling
The National Gambling Treatment Service revealed that 8,490 people received treatment during 2020/21
GambleAware has published its National Gambling Treatment Service (NGTS) Annual Statistics for 2020-21 and has reported that 92% of people who completed their scheduled treatment showed improvement on their Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) score.
The PGSI is a tool designed to measure at-risk behaviour in problem gambling. According to the report, 8,490 people received treatment during the 2020/21 period and those who started were considered to be ‘problem gamblers’. Seven in ten (70%) were no longer defined as such on the PGSI scale at end of the scheduled treatment.
The NGTS is a network of organisations including GamCare and its partner network which includes Gordon Moody and local NHS treatment centres and is jointly commissioned by NHS England and GambleAware. Its aim is to collaboratively provide confidential treatment and support to those who are experiencing gambling harms.
Zoe Osmond, CEO of GambleAware, said: “It is encouraging to see that during an unprecedented year, when many of the services had to move online, the National Gambling Treatment Service has been able to continue to deliver good results for those receiving treatment.”
“The worryingly low uptake of services however underlines the very real need to continue to raise awareness of and improve pathways to the Service, so that more people know that help is available,” Osmond added.
Meanwhile, the report stated that due to Covid-19 restrictions, 518 fewer people received treatment in 2020-21 as compared to the previous year.
In addition, the report also revealed that the proportion of people seeking treatment through the NGTS who participate in online gambling increased from 57% in 2015/16 to 79% in 2020/21.
The annual report shows that 93% of referrals were self-made, while 0.7% were referred by GPs.
In April 2021, GambleAware announced a new five-year strategy to combat at-risk gambling in the UK. This announcement was made following pledges from the so-called big four operators (bet365, Flutter, William Hill and Entain) to voluntarily donate a combined £100m to the charity over the next five years.
Bet365 donated more than £4m to GambleAware in H1, while Entain contributed £2m and William Hill donated £1m.