Views Sought Over Strategy To Reduce Gambling Harm

12 February 2026
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Andrew DawkinsWest Midlands


People in a city are being urged to share their experiences of gambling and what problems it can cause as a council seeks to secure susceptible homeowners.


Two assessments have been started by City of Wolverhampton Council, one for adults and the other for children and young individuals.


Evidence recommended 1.2% of the city's population met the criteria to be described as issue bettors, more than double the national average, a spokesperson stated.


The experiences individuals share will go into reducing the harm from the issue, they included.


Harms could include monetary hardship, relationship breakdown and mental health issues, the spokesperson stated.


From 2019-22, 70 Wolverhampton citizens sought assistance from the charity Aquarius, which supports individuals impacted by gaming.


But the council representative said they approximated 8,570 people might have benefited from the group's assistance.


Signs that somebody might have an issue with betting include feelings of stress and anxiety or stress around their gaming practice, betting more than they can afford to lose, and ever bigger quantities of cash to feel the very same "high" as in the past.


Councillor Obaida Ahmed said the authority desired their technique to be shaped by real experiences and "grounded in what our communities tell us they need".


"Your voice matters - whether you have actually been personally impacted, know somebody who has, or just wish to contribute to a more secure, healthier city," she included, with a due date for comments by 20 March.


Research from the annual nationwide Young People and Gambling Survey 2025 revealed a notable rise in betting participation amongst 11 to 17 years of age, with 30% reporting that they had actually spent their own money on betting in the past year, up from 27% in 2024.


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