Agenda item

To consider the Council’s public health approach to address gambling harms in Haringey.

The Panel received a report and presentation on gambling harms in Haringey.

Officers advised that gambling was increasingly recognised as a significant public health issue, with adverse impacts on financial wellbeing, physical and mental health, relationships and wider communities. It was noted that gambling harms disproportionately affected residents in deprived communities and that Haringey had one of the highest densities of gambling premises in the country, particularly within areas of higher deprivation.

The Panel was informed that the Department of Health and Social Care had recognised gambling harms as a public health concern and that funding generated through the Gambling Levy was now being provided to local authorities. Haringey had received approximately £60,000 to support work relating to gambling harms and was considered to be ahead of many other authorities due to its established programme of work in this area.

Officers reported that an estimated 3.5% of Haringey residents, equivalent to approximately 7,000 people, experienced severe gambling harm. It was noted that the impact extended beyond those directly affected and also significantly affected families and other connected individuals.

The Panel heard that Haringey’s Gambling Harms Reduction Programme adopted a whole-system public health approach and that the borough was recognised as a national leader in this field. The programme included partnership working, research, staff training, public awareness campaigns, youth engagement, licensing and planning work, and the development of referral pathways into support services.

Members were advised that over 400 staff had previously received gambling harms awareness training and that further training was planned for Adult Social Care and Revenue and Benefits staff. Officers also reported ongoing work with primary care services to improve the identification, screening and referral of residents experiencing gambling harms.

The Panel noted that gambling harms awareness had become a statutory requirement within the school curriculum and that work was underway to provide awareness sessions across Haringey schools. Officers highlighted growing concerns regarding online gambling and gambling-related activity targeting young people.

Officers outlined the work of the North London Tackling Gambling Harms Coalition and reported on a public awareness campaign delivered during the FIFA World Cup, which achieved significant national reach and generated a high number of referrals to confidential support services.

During discussion, Members welcomed the progress that had been made in addressing gambling harms and emphasised the need for further engagement with underrepresented groups, including women, older people, neurodivergent residents, LGBTQ+ communities and ethnic minority communities. Officers acknowledged existing evidence gaps and advised that further qualitative research was planned.

Members raised concerns regarding access to therapeutic and clinical support for residents experiencing gambling harms. Officers outlined the support available through GamCare, the Primary Care Gambling Service and specialist NHS treatment services, and emphasised the importance of improving screening and referral processes.

The Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to tackling gambling harms, including continuing work to reduce gambling advertising and address the inequalities associated with gambling-related harm. Consideration was also given to incorporating gambling harm screening into wider health assessments and increasing the confidence of healthcare professionals in raising the issue with patients.

The Panel discussed the challenges associated with licensing and planning powers in relation to gambling premises. Officers advised that proposed legislative changes could strengthen local authority powers in the future and highlighted the importance of encouraging residents and ward councillors to engage with licensing processes.

Members also discussed the accessibility of public awareness campaigns, particularly for residents who did not speak English as a first language and those who were digitally excluded. Officers advised that future campaigns would seek to make greater use of community networks and translated materials where appropriate.

The Panel noted the update and agreed that the importance of encouraging residents and councillors to engage in licensing processes relating to gambling premises should be highlighted to the Licensing Committee.