Views Sought Over Strategy To Reduce Gambling Harm

12 February 2026
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Andrew DawkinsWest Midlands


People in a city are being advised to share their experiences of gambling and what issues it can trigger as a council seeks to protect susceptible residents.


Two consultations have actually been started by City of Wolverhampton Council, one for grownups and the other for kids and youths.


Evidence recommended 1.2% of the city's population fulfilled the criteria to be explained as issue gamblers, more than double the nationwide average, a .


The experiences people share will go into decreasing the harm from the problem, they added.


Harms could consist of monetary difficulty, relationship breakdown and psychological health concerns, the representative said.


From 2019-22, 70 Wolverhampton citizens looked for help from the charity Aquarius, which supports people affected by betting.


But the council spokesperson stated they approximated 8,570 individuals might have gained from the group's support.


Signs that somebody may have an issue with gambling include sensations of anxiety or tension around their betting habit, betting more than they can manage to lose, and gaming ever bigger amounts of cash to feel the very same "high" as before.


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


"Your voice matters - whether you have actually been personally affected, understand someone who has, or just wish to add to a more secure, healthier city," she added, with a due date for remarks by 20 March.


Research from the yearly national Youth and Gambling Survey 2025 revealed a significant rise in betting involvement amongst 11 to 17 years of age, with 30% reporting that they had actually invested their own money on gambling in the previous year, up from 27% in 2024.


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