New report reveals the striking scale of unmet needs in Scotland’s gambling harm support services
Published: 7 August 2026
Thousands of Scots are experiencing gambling harm, but only a fifth ever reach out to specialist services, finds a new UofG report.
Thousands of Scots are experiencing gambling harm, but only a fifth ever reach out to specialist services, finds a new University of Glasgow report.
The Scottish Government commissioned study also found that people living in Scotland's most deprived areas are around 14 times more likely to experience the most severe gambling harms than those in the least deprived areas - and under-16s are not supported at all in the current system.
Gambling harm is increasingly recognised as a public health issue in Scotland, with impacts extending beyond individuals to affect families, communities, and public services.
Yet whilst it is estimated that around one in 40 adults experience harms from their own gambling, only one in 200 seek specialist treatment or support for gambling - a significant figure that highlights the extent of this societal issue.
The report offers a comprehensive, system level understanding of existing gambling harm treatment and support services in Scotland. It also improves understanding of the evidence on the effectiveness of gambling harm prevention, treatment, and recovery support services, to inform sector engagement, resilience, and the development of a more coordinated and collaborative service landscape.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: "I welcome this report, which provides an excellent foundation to help us target our resources most effectively.
"We are already working hard with partners to tackle gambling harms but we want to do more - that’s why we have funded and commissioned this report to highlight the strengths, gaps and opportunities to improve services.
"Following the period covered by the report, earlier this year, we announced £7.9 million to tackle gambling harm and are funding third-sector, community and voluntary sector organisations, and services provided through the NHS and local authorities to further develop prevention and treatment.
"This includes those seeking to reduce harms in under-16s and in our most deprived communities.
"In line with our Population Health Framework, our focus is on prevention and improving treatment referral pathways so that people get the help they need when they need it."
Dr Daria Ukhova, who led the research at the University of Glasgow, said: "The findings come at a critical juncture for gambling harms policy in Scotland. With growing recognition of gambling as a public health issue, there is an opportunity to transform support provision, reaching communities whose needs have too often gone unmet and creating a fairer, more responsive system of care."
The findings highlight several areas that may be important for the future development of gambling treatment and support services across Scotland. These include strengthening pathways and coordination; improving alignment with evidence-based interventions; and developing workforce capacity and competency frameworks.
The report also recommends expanding early intervention, especially for underserved groups, and improving awareness of support pathways; embedding lived experience structurally; and stabilising funding and commissioning arrangements.
First published: 7 August 2026