Glasgow is facing what experts are calling a gambling epidemic, as alarming new data reveals a surge in high-risk betting behavior across the city. According to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 10% of adults surveyed reported gambling in the past month, excluding the National Lottery. Even more concerning, 3,000 residents admitted to chasing losses, a key indicator of problem gambling.
The crisis is hitting the city’s most vulnerable hardest. A staggering 43% of betting shops are concentrated in Glasgow’s most deprived neighborhoods, while just 2.5% are in wealthier areas—fueling concerns of predatory targeting.
The problem extends to Glasgow’s youth. Data from the 2021–22 Health and Wellbeing Census shows that 1 in 4 secondary students (S3, S5, S6) engaged in gambling activities within the past month, including online betting, slot machines, and private wagering. Glasgow City Council is now urgently calling on the UK Government for increased funding and a review of the Gambling Act, warning that the current system is failing to protect the city’s population from mounting harm.
Without intervention, officials fear the city is “spiraling into a public health disaster fueled by unchecked gambling access.”
