GambleAware says demand for treatment almost doubled since 2020
Summary
New research from GambleAware, carried out by YouGov and reported in the Annual Treatment and Support Survey 2024, finds a sharp rise in help-seeking and problem gambling across Great Britain since 2020. The charity reports that almost one in three adults who gamble and are at any risk now want treatment, support or advice — up from around one in five in 2020. Problem gambling prevalence rose from 2.4% in 2020 to 3.8% in 2024.
The study also highlights that 4.3 million adults are affected by a friend or family member’s gambling (8.1% in 2024, up from 6.5% in 2020). GambleAware warns prize draws (for example Omaze or McDonald’s Monopoly) are linked to gambling risk and may normalise gambling for children. The survey shows strong public support for tougher advertising restrictions: 91% back a ban on gambling ads on television and video games, and 90% support a social media ban.
Author style: Punchy — this is a wake-up call on rising harm and public appetite for stronger regulation; the findings back urgent policy action.
Key Points
- Almost one in three adults who gamble and face any risk now want treatment/support — up from around one in five in 2020.
- Estimated problem gambling increased from 2.4% (2020) to 3.8% (2024).
- 4.3 million adults (8.1%) are affected by someone else’s gambling, up from 6.5% in 2020.
- Prize draws are linked to gambling problems for a notable share of gamblers and may normalise gambling for children; they are currently unregulated as gambling.
- Very strong public support for tighter advertising limits: 91% for TV/video games and 90% for social media restrictions.
- GambleAware calls for tougher advertising rules, mandatory health warnings on ads, stricter digital marketing controls and a ban on gambling promotion in stadiums and sports venues.
- The survey estimates around 2 million children may live with an adult experiencing problem gambling.
Why should I read this?
Quick and blunt — if you work in regulation, public health, betting, sport or marketing, this matters. Help-seeking is up but so is harm. The public wants stricter ad rules, and campaigners are pushing hard. Read it to know where policy and industry pressure will land next.
Context and Relevance
GambleAware’s findings arrive amid broader debate on gambling regulation in the UK. Rising prevalence and family impact frame gambling harm as a growing public-health concern rather than an individual issue. The data strengthens calls for legal and industry action on advertising, youth exposure and unregulated prize draws. For operators and regulators, this signals likely policy emphasis on prevention, clearer consumer warnings and tighter controls on marketing channels popular with young people.
Source
Source: https://next.io/news/regulation/gambleaware-demands-treatment-doubled-2020/