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 gaming and what issues it can cause as a council aims to secure vulnerable locals.


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


Evidence suggested 1.2% of the city's population met the criteria to be referred to as problem bettors, more than double the national average, a spokesperson stated.


The experiences people share will enter into minimizing the damage from the problem, they included.


Harms could consist of financial challenge, relationship breakdown and psychological health issues, the spokesperson stated.


From 2019-22, 70 Wolverhampton citizens sought help from the charity Aquarius, which supports individuals affected by betting.


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


Signs that someone might have an issue with gambling include sensations of stress and anxiety or tension around their gaming practice, wagering more than they can manage to lose, and betting ever larger quantities of cash to feel the very same "high" as before.


Councillor Obaida Ahmed stated the authority desired their method to be formed by real experiences and "grounded in what our neighborhoods tell us they need".


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


Research from the annual nationwide Youth and 2025 showed a noteworthy increase in gambling involvement amongst 11 to 17 year olds, with 30% reporting that they had invested their own money on betting in the previous year, up from 27% in 2024.


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