Views Sought Over Strategy To Reduce Gambling Harm

12 February 2026
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Andrew DawkinsWest Midlands


People in a city are being advised to share their experiences of betting and what problems it can trigger as a council seeks to safeguard vulnerable homeowners.


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


Evidence suggested 1.2% of the city's population fulfilled the requirements to be described as problem gamblers, more than double the national average, a spokesperson stated.


The experiences individuals share will go into reducing the harm from the issue, they included.


Harms might include monetary hardship, relationship breakdown and psychological health problems, the spokesperson stated.


From 2019-22, 70 Wolverhampton citizens looked for help from the charity Aquarius, which supports individuals affected by gaming.


But the council spokesperson stated they estimated 8,570 people could have benefited from the group's assistance.


Signs that somebody may have a problem with gambling consist of sensations of anxiety or stress around their betting routine, betting more than they can manage to lose, and gambling ever bigger quantities of money to feel the same "high" as previously.


Councillor Obaida Ahmed said the authority wanted their method to be shaped by genuine experiences and "grounded in what our communities tell us they require".


"Your voice matters - whether you have been personally affected, know someone who has, or merely want to contribute to a more secure, healthier city," she added, with a deadline for comments by 20 March.


Research from the yearly national Young People and Gambling Survey 2025 showed a notable increase in betting involvement amongst 11 to 17 years of age, with 30% reporting that they had actually spent their own money on in the past year, up from 27% in 2024.


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