The National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) has reported strong progress in its second year since launching in April 2023. New data shows that over 110,000 individuals have received support from the network, which offers free and confidential treatment, advice, and assistance to those experiencing gambling-related harm.
The second-year data highlights a 50% increase in self-referrals, a significant shift towards individuals directly seeking out the support they need.
NGSN Surpasses 110,000 People Supported in Year Two
The NGSN, commissioned by GambleAware, offers a range of services to people affected by gambling harm, including access to the National Gambling Helpline, regional providers, primary care, and residential treatment services.
The network is divided into three levels of support: Tier 2, which includes brief interventions and aftercare; Tier 3, offering more intensive treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); and Tier 4, the most specialized level of care, which includes residential treatment.
This region-first approach, which focuses on providing services based on local knowledge, has played a key role in increasing engagement and making it easier for people to access support tailored to their communities. This local approach has resulted in a 50% rise in self-referrals since the NGSN’s inception, showing a growing trust and reliance on the services available.
Increase in Brief Interventions and Early Support
A standout achievement in the second year of the NGSN’s operations has been a dramatic rise in brief interventions (BI). These are short, time-limited conversations designed to reduce the risk of gambling harm and provide individuals with guidance and signposting to further support.
The number of BI sessions has surged by 93%, increasing from 11,000 in the first year to over 21,000 in the second year. This indicates a more proactive approach to engaging individuals early, before their gambling issues escalate.
Anna Hargrave, Deputy Chief Executive at GambleAware noted:
“We’ve seen an increase in the number of people being supported and importantly, an increase in brief interventions and self-referrals, which means we can support people earlier and reduce the potential for further harm.”
The average wait time for a first assessment has been reduced to just two days, which has further improved the speed and efficiency with which individuals can access the care they need.
GambleAware’s Service Finder and Increased Outreach
Since the launch of the GambleAware service finder website in July 2024, an estimated 21,000 individuals have been directed to NGSN provider referral options, improving visibility and access to services. The service finder has helped guide people to appropriate resources, offering easy access to contact details, self-referral forms, and other critical information.
Joy Allen, Police & Crime Commissioner for Durham, has highlighted the importance of tackling gambling harms as part of a broader public health strategy.
““We need to think of gambling-addiction in the same way in which we think of and support those with Drugs and Alcohol addiction. It is an illness that can lead people to commit crime to feed their addiction and those in its thrall need rehabilitation, not censure. It can certainly lead to abject misery. It is estimated that there are nearly 500 gambling related suicides a year in England highlighting the urgent need to encourage more people to seek help.”
The continued expansion of these services, alongside strategic collaborations, demonstrates the network’s effectiveness in addressing gambling harms and creating more efficient pathways to treatment.
Source:
“National Gambling Support Network Helps Over 110,000 People as Self-Referrals Increase by 50%”, gambleaware.org, May 8, 2025
