The report in partnership with StepChange Debt Charity, supported by the Gambling Commission, finds gambling is only rarely reported as a driver of problem debt, with around 2% of StepChange clients disclosing gambling associated with their debt.
However, gambling debt can be deeply harmful when it does occur and can badly affect not just the individual, but also others close to them. This is especially true if continued use of credit to fund gambling leads to other bills going unpaid, potentially putting homes and wider household finances at significant risk. The research finds that those affected by someone else’s gambling often go unseen, and there is more to do to ensure these clients are effectively supported.
The new report suggests it is incumbent on gambling firms, credit providers and the advice sector to recognise the specific problems those with extensive gambling debt can face, and the challenges and opportunities to address when seeking to resolve them.