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Report

ABSG Progress Report on the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms - Year 3

ABSG - Year three Progress Report on the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms

Headline achievements and ABSG recommendations

Since our last progress report, the third year of the National Strategy has seen:

  • strengthening of regulatory requirements and interventions to address harms
  • publication of a comprehensive government commissioned evidence review by PHE and start of NICE guidelines essential for treatment
  • increased involvement of financial institutions in research and earlier support for those at risk
  • expansion of education and support work with women, ethnic minority groups, young people and family and friends of those who are harmed
  • growth of whole systems population health approaches in Scotland, Wales and some regions in England
  • expansion of specialist NHS clinics, and treatment and support offered in NHS primary care and a wider range of community settings
  • more diverse academic disciplines engaged in gambling research, using innovative technologies and big data, generating objective indicators of harm
  • growing evidence of the differential impact of gambling products and greater recognition of the influence of product and environment on harms as well as individual behaviour.

ABSG Recommendations

In August 2021, the Commission noted its continuing support for the priorities set out in the National Strategy beyond 2022. Strong coordination and collaboration will be required to carry this work forward to ensure the momentum created by the National Strategy is not lost. This must include decisions about future funding models and use of regulatory settlements. Recommendations are set out for regulatory actions and actions by other agencies and organisations, including increased resources for enforcement action and greater transparency and data sharing, population level actions and earlier interventions to reduce harms and improve access to treatment and support.

All recommendations are underpinned by the need for government leadership towards an integrated prevention and treatment system involving those with lived experience alongside healthcare, local authorities and third sector, independent research and evaluation, and an end to funding from voluntary contributions.

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Executive summary and key findings
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