Problem Gambling

There are an estimated 30,000 people in Wales who experience problem gambling. Many more are at risk of developing gambling harms, which extend beyond the gambler to affected others such as families, friends, and colleagues.

The impact of gambling-related harm is varied and wide-reaching. Gamblers and their families, friends, and colleagues report issues with:

decreased mental wellbeing
financial problems
debt
housing problems
increased risk of unemployment
relationship breakdown

How unions can help those with problem gambling?

Despite the increasing prevalence of gambling addiction, there is also a great deal of stigma and shame felt by sufferers. Unions can play a key role in removing that stigma in the workplace and signposting members to the appropriate help.

Problem gambling is a significant workplace issue. A Reed in Partnership report found that:

28% of working adults who gamble in the UK – over 4 million people – would prefer to keep the extent of their gambling hidden from their colleagues.

People aged 25-34 are most likely age group to gamble while at work online or via an application on their phone.

More than four in five (82%) British adults think that gambling and debt can be a distraction for people in work.

Trade unions, working with enlightened employers, can play an important part in tackling problem gambling in the workplace and support members along that road to recovery.

Download our Problem Gambling toolkit for more information on the above issues and to find out how you can help.

Watch Gareth Hathway, Union Learning Support Officer at Wales TUC, share some shocking statistics about problem gambling in Wales and explain how this toolkit will help.