Council Launches Gambling Harm Consultation
The City of Wolverhampton Council has launched a public consultation to shape a new four-year Gambling Harm Reduction Strategy, aimed at preventing and reducing the social and health impact of gambling harms on local residents.
The consultation, open until 20 March 2026, is seeking input from adults, young people, community groups and professionals on how best to address issues such as financial distress, mental health harms and family disruption linked to gambling. It represents a strategic shift in how the council frames gambling, not merely as a leisure activity regulated through licensing, but as a public health concern requiring a comprehensive, evidence-led response.
Public Health Approach At The Centre
According to the council’s published strategy framework, the new plan adopts a public health approach focusing on prevention, early intervention and support alongside strong regulation and governance. Priorities include improving data collection, raising awareness, strengthening support pathways and engaging communities in how gambling harms present across different groups.
Local figures cited in council documents point to gambling-related harm being higher in Wolverhampton than national averages. An estimated 5.3 % of residents are at elevated risk of harm, with 1.2 % meeting criteria for problem gambling, figures more than double comparable national estimates. Despite this, treatment uptake locally remains low. Between 2019 and 2022, just 70 residents accessed specialist support through the regional provider Aquarius, compared to thousands who could benefit from help.
Consultation Aims And Substance
The consultation comprises separate surveys for adults and for children and young people. Adults are asked about their experiences with gambling harms, including exposure to gambling advertising on TV, radio, social media and in public spaces, and perceptions of risk. Young people are asked to reflect on their awareness and understanding of gambling harms and any education they’ve received in school.
Council leaders emphasise that public contributions will directly inform the priorities and design of the final strategy. Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said the authority wants the policy “shaped by real experiences and grounded in what our communities tell us they need.”
Local Action And Wider Debate
Wolverhampton’s strategy aligns with a broader move by local authorities across England to treat gambling harm within a public health framework, an approach that has also been encouraged in national guidance. The Gambling Commission provides resources and toolkits for local public health and licensing teams to take joined-up action on gambling harms, recognising the issue’s complex social and health dimensions.
As councils push for more targeted powers and interventions, Wolverhampton’s consultation may help shape how harm reduction measures are implemented at the local level and contribute to wider discussions on gambling regulation and licensing policy.
