Referrals to problem gambling charity in Leeds ‘have gone down’ during pandemic

At a meeting of Leeds City Councillors, it was asked how the Covid-19 pandemic had affected the numbers of people using the Leeds community gambling support service GamCare.

While officers did not have numbers of service users available, it was confirmed the number of individuals being referred to the service had gone down.

When asked whether the pandemic had put extra pressure on services, Leeds City Council entertainment licensing officer Sue Duckworth told a meeting of the authority’s Licensing Committee: “I attend several problem gambling meetings. I don’t have specific data – they have been operating through the lockdown but I believe referrals have gone down.

“They haven’t been able to do quite so much face to face stuff because of coronavirus, and I think that is having an impact.

“I am due to attend another problem gambling meeting shortly. We will get further data.”

The meeting was to discuss proposed changes to gambling laws, and has asked local authorities to provice evidence and feedback.

Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage Nigel Huddlestone wrote in a letter sent out to councils last month: “Gambling is a fun leisure activity for many people, with nearly half of adults gambling each month.

“We respect the freedom of adults to choose how they spend their money and the value of a responsible industry which protects players, provides jobs and pays taxes.

“But it is essential that we prevent exploitation of vulnerable people and protect individuals, families and communities from the potentially life ruining effects of gambling-related harm.”

In May last year, Matthew Gaskell from the Northern Gambling Service says a public health approach at government level is the most effective way of tackling what he has branded “the hidden addiction”.

Latest figures showed around 30,000 people have a ‘problem gambling’ addiction in Leeds, while a study by Leeds Beckett University revealed that the city has potentially twice the national average rate of addiction.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post in May 2020, Mr Gaskell said: “Problems with pandemic conditions have a number of risk factors for people. They want to get out of financial problems, there is job insecurity, there is confinement, stress, sometimes there is conflict at home and online gambling is available 24/7.”