60.5% of people in Scotland were found to have taken part in any form of gambling in 2022. This is slightly above the average across Great Britain, which is 60.3%.
Zoë Osmond, chief executive of GambleAware, said the charity is “concerned” to see fewer people seeking support in Scotland. The rising cost of living is expected to lead to an increase in harmful gambling among women as they try to supplement their household income, a charity has warned.
GambleAware said nearly one in four women (24%) aged 18 to 49 who gamble expects to gamble more in the coming months due to the cost-of-living crisis, with 12% already turning to gambling in an attempt to increase their income.
“Gambling harms can affect anyone, and we are concerned to see that fewer people are accessing treatment and support in Scotland,” she said.
“As the leading gambling harms charity in Great Britain, we’ve published these maps and data to provide information to help address treatment and support needs in local communities.”
GambleAware added that it would be responding to the UK government’s consultation on a statutory gambling levy. The move would impose a mandatory gambling levy on operators, which would be paid to the GB Gambling Commission. It would raise funds for research, education, and treatment for gambling harms.
