Views Sought Over Strategy To Reduce Gambling Harm

12 February 2026
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Midlands


People in a city are being prompted to share their experiences of betting and what problems it can cause as a council looks to secure vulnerable homeowners.


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


Evidence recommended 1.2% of the city's population fulfilled the requirements to be explained as problem bettors, more than double the national average, a representative stated.


The experiences people share will go into lowering the harm from the issue, they included.


Harms could consist of financial difficulty, relationship breakdown and psychological health issues, the representative said.


From 2019-22, 70 Wolverhampton citizens sought aid from the charity Aquarius, which supports people affected by gaming.


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


Signs that someone might have an issue with betting consist of sensations of anxiety or tension around their gaming practice, wagering more than they can afford to lose, and gaming ever bigger amounts of cash to feel the same "high" as in the past.


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


"Your voice matters - whether you have been personally impacted, understand someone who has, or just wish to contribute to a much safer, much healthier city," she added, with a deadline for remarks by 20 March.


Research from the annual national Youth and Gambling Survey 2025 showed a noteworthy increase in betting involvement among 11 to 17 years of age, with 30% reporting that they had actually invested their own cash on gaming in the past year, up from 27% in 2024.


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