Views Sought Over Strategy To Reduce Gambling Harm

12 February 2026
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Andrew DawkinsWest Midlands


People in a city are being urged to share their experiences of gambling and what problems it can trigger as a council looks to secure vulnerable locals.


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


Evidence suggested 1.2% of the city's population satisfied the criteria to be referred to as issue gamblers, more than double the national average, a representative stated.


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


Harms could consist of financial difficulty, relationship breakdown and psychological health concerns, the spokesperson said.


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


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


Signs that somebody may have a problem with gambling include sensations of or stress around their betting routine, wagering more than they can manage to lose, and gaming ever larger quantities of money to feel the very same "high" as in the past.


Councillor Obaida Ahmed said 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 impacted, understand someone who has, or simply desire to add to a much safer, healthier city," she added, with a deadline for remarks by 20 March.


Research from the yearly nationwide Youth and Gambling Survey 2025 showed a significant increase in gambling involvement among 11 to 17 year olds, with 30% reporting that they had invested their own cash on gambling in the previous year, up from 27% in 2024.


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