Harmful gambling can lead to a range of mental and physical harms, including stress, anxiety and depression.
Gambling can become an addiction, just like drugs or alcohol, if you use it compulsively or feel out of control. Gambling can affect the part of our brain that releases dopamine [1].
Gambling can also negatively impact people’s relationships and finances, which can contribute to poor mental health [2].
GambleAware data shows that 26 per cent of people accessing treatment for harmful gambling in 2021/22 had experienced relationship loss due to their gambling, while 11 per cent had lost a job [3].
What impact does this have on those who experience gambling harm? What impact can this have on their friends and family?
For the second of two meetings on the health impacts of gambling in London, the London Assembly Health Committee will meet tomorrow to discuss this with individuals who have experienced gambling harms, either directly or through a close family member.
Guests will include:
- Tony Kelly, Former professional footballer, and founder of organisation Red Card
- Tom Fleming, Communications Manager, Gambling with Lives
- Colin Walsh, Lived Experience Manager, GamCare
The meeting will take place on Thursday 1 February from 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- Mental Health Foundation, Gambling and mental health
- GamCare, How gambling affects your life
- GambleAware, Annual statistics from the National Gambling Treatment Service 2021/22, November 2022
- Full agenda papers.
- Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Chair of the Health Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Health Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more details, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.