Views sought over strategy to reduce gambling harm

People in a city are being urged to share their experiences of gambling and what problems it can cause as a council looks to protect vulnerable residents.

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

Evidence suggested 1.2% of the city's population met the criteria to be described as problem gamblers, more than double the national average, a spokesperson said.

The experiences people share will go into reducing the harm from the issue, they added.

Harms could include financial hardship, relationship breakdown and mental health issues, the spokesperson said.

From 2019-22, 70 Wolverhampton residents sought help from the charity Aquarius, which supports people affected by gambling.

But the council spokesperson said they estimated 8,570 people could have benefited from the group's support.

Signs that somebody may have a problem with gambling include feelings of anxiety or stress around their gambling habit, betting more than they can afford to lose, and gambling ever larger amounts of money to feel the same "high" as before.

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

"Your voice matters – whether you have been personally affected, know someone who has, or simply want to contribute to a safer, healthier city," she added, with a deadline for comments by 20 March.

Research from the annual national Young People and Gambling Survey 2025 showed a notable rise in gambling participation among 11 to 17 year olds, with 30% reporting that they had spent their own money on gambling in the past year, up from 27% in 2024.

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