Gambling Commission Publishes In-Depth Report on Gambling Harm in the UK

Conducted by NatCen Social Research and supported by the Gambling Commission’s Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP), the study provides valuable insight into the real-life experiences of people who have faced serious gambling-related issues.

Drawing from 25 in-depth interviews with individuals who had suffered significant harm from gambling within the past year, the report offers a detailed look at the complex and often interconnected nature of gambling problems. The study focused on the evolution of gambling harm, the role of external influences, and the actions participants took—if any—to mitigate their behavior.

One of the most striking themes from the research is that the path toward gambling harm is rarely straightforward. For many, gambling issues didn’t emerge suddenly but gradually developed over time, often shaped by a mix of personal and social factors. Some interviewees reported early exposure to gambling during childhood or adolescence, either by watching family members gamble or participating themselves. Financial hardship was commonly the first noticeable impact, although others first noticed issues in their personal relationships.

The report also found that gambling harm did not always follow a consistent pattern. While some individuals saw their problems intensify, others described more stable experiences, with peaks and troughs linked to changes in life circumstances. Factors such as job instability, changes in income, mental health struggles, migration, and social isolation were all cited as influences that either triggered or worsened gambling behavior. Exposure to gambling advertising and peer pressure also played a significant role.

One male participant in his late twenties described how financial pressures as a student drove him back to gambling: “When you work here as a student, you can only work 20 hours per week. When you need to make money, you don't really have a lot of options. Then I think I had maybe a feeling that, okay, maybe I can go back to where I once was [gambling] and see if I can make money out of it.”

For many participants, the experience of harm was cyclical. Financial losses, broken relationships, and deteriorating mental health often fed into each other, creating a downward spiral. Several interviewees noted how one problem would inevitably lead to another, making it harder to break free from gambling’s grip. While a number of participants took action to regain control—using self-exclusion tools, adopting personal limits, or seeking support from others—many only did so after reaching a crisis point.

A female participant in the same age group reflected on her shift in behavior over time: “I feel like I've got a bit more self-control because I know when enough is enough, whereas four or five years ago it would be, oh, okay, another half an hour and that's when I would have kept going. Now, I know about the tools that sites have on.”

However, not all participants found such tools effective. Some expressed skepticism about the sincerity and efficacy of gambling operators’ support measures. One participant noted, “Well, we've got these tools and they're there to help you, but I think indirectly they probably know that the actual participant will carry on doing it or even put some more into gambling. So, I don't trust a lot of these so-called tools.”

The study concludes that while gambling often begins as a seemingly harmless or enjoyable activity, the risks of harm can grow over time—often influenced by a range of internal and external factors. These findings underscore the importance of targeted intervention, meaningful regulation, and more effective support systems to help individuals avoid or escape gambling-related harm.