11.8 million adults and children in Britain may be negatively affected by someone who gambles. The risk of harm is likely to be much higher for the estimated 3.6 million people who live with a 'problem gambler'

Personal relationship harms, financial harms and emotional harms from gambling problems compound each other in damaging ways within family and friendship networks; and can span several decades or generations. While close family and friendship networks can be an important source of support both for people who gamble and affected others, it should not automatically be assumed that families or friends are able or willing to be supportive.

Services already exist in Britain that provide the sort of help and support for affected others that family members and friends identified. But figures for national gambling support services show low take-up of help by adult affected others, with only around 0.5m of the estimated 3.34m adult affected others getting help from gambling support services.

The scale of potential harm to family members and close friends, coupled with low levels of help-seeking by affected others, highlights the need for strategic efforts to support this group.

Recommendations:

• Specific services for affected others should be included in strategic commissioning plans.
• Making sure there is ‘no wrong door’ for people who seek help.
• Public health campaigns about the impact of gambling problems on family members and friends.
• Clear, targeted messaging about the existing services that can provide the types of help and support family members and friends want.