GamCare Annual Treatment Client Profile 2020/2021
Contents Executive Summary
3
Introduction 6 Session and Client Numbers
2
7
Demographics 8 Gender 8 Age 8 Ethnicity 9 Employment status 9 Relationship Status 10 Location 10 Gambling Facilities and Activities 11 Impacts of Problem Gambling
14
Self-Reported Mental Health Impacts
14
Self-Reported Health, Financial and Other Impacts
14
Self-Reported Alcohol and Drug Misuse
15
Self-Reported Debt Levels
15
| EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2021 |
Executive Summary 2021 This report outlines key client trends observed across our treatment services delivered by GamCare and our Partner Network during 2020/21. Some key findings from this year are: l Gamblers made up the
majority of clients attending treatment
l Over 55,000 assessment (tier
3) and treatment (tier 2 and 3) sessions were attended in 2020/21.
l The total number of unique
clients attending treatment in 2020/21 was 10,372; which equated to over 11,300 episodes of care. Gamblers accounted for 83% of clients.
l Tier 2 treatment made up
15% of all attended sessions, an increase on previous years. Anecdotally, clients’ ability to engage in structured tier 3 treatment was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and UK lockdowns.
l Nearly a quarter (24%) of all
clients attending any sessions in 2020/21, only attended tier 2 sessions.
Tier 1: Support provided by non gambling specialists Tier 2: Gambling specific information, advice, triage assessment, brief and extended brief interventions, peer support Tier 3: If their needs are higher, a full assessment followed by structured treatment and/or referral to other services It is possible for a client to move between TIER 2 and 3, known as Stepping Up and Stepping Down.
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| EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2021 |
Executive Summary 2021 Working males under 35 are most likely to attend treatment l
Overall, the majority (72%) of clients identified as male.
l
Six out of every ten treatment clients were aged 35 or under. The single largest group for both gamblers and affected others is aged 26-35 which accounted for 40% of all attending clients.
4 l
Affected others (19%) were considerably more likely than gamblers (6%) to be aged over 55; it is likely this group is made up of the parents of adult children who gamble.
l
The majority of both gamblers (80%) and affected others (79%) that attended treatment were employed.
l
Gamblers (31%) were considerably more likely to be single than affected others (7%).
l
The largest proportion of clients attending treatment in North West (21%), South East (14%) and East of England (13%).
2x
Online gambling is twice as likely to be reported as problematic than offline
Online Offline
81% l
40%
Online gambling was reported as problematic by 81% of treatment clients, compared to 40% for offline gambling. This is an increase in online gambling and a decrease in offline from the previous year, likely caused, at least in part, by UK lockdowns and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in closure of venues and live sporting events being suspended.
Online facilities
34% l
30%
22%
The online facilities and activities most likely to be reported as problematic in 2020/21 were betting (34%), slots (30%) and casino games (22%).
Offline facilities
15% l
13%
The offline facilities and activities most likely to be reported as problematic in 2020/21 were betting shop betting (15%) and betting shop gaming machines (13%).
| EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2021 |
Relationships and family life are impacted
We need to talk about money
Gamblers + Affected Others
Debts Issues
62%
66%
85% l l
The majority of gamblers (62%) and affected others (85%) attending treatment are in a relationship or married.
Gamblers + Affected Others 73%
l
Financial Difficulties 80% l
85%
Two thirds (66%) of gamblers attending treatment reported having debt issues.
80% of gamblers attending treatment reported being impacted by financial difficulties because of their gambling.
73% of gamblers and 85% of affected others attending treatment identified family/ relationship difficulties as a significant impact of problem gambling.
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| INTRODUCTION |
Executive Introduction Summary 2021
6
GamCare provides a range of treatment interventions both individually and in groups, in face to face and online sessions. We provide support and treatment for people affected by their own gambling or by someone elses, such as a family member or friend. During this year in the pandemic our work was conducted entirely remotely via online sessions. GamCare’s Model of Care is informed by cognitive behavioural therapy and other evidence based approaches such as motivational interviewing. We recognise the importance of encouraging supportive social networks be they family, friends or peers in helping to maintain positive changes and prevent relapses. This report gives GamCare, and Gamble Aware as the funder of these services, useful information when planning for and delivering education, outreach, support and treatment services for those experiencing gambling related harm. By understanding who is using our treatment services we can ensure that we continue to make our services as accessible as possible and explore ways of reaching people who are currently underserved.
Scope of this report This report provides data and information about clients attending treatment services (both) in lower intensity extended brief interventions (tier 2) and in structured treatment (tier 3) from 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021. Our wider activities and impact are detailed in a separate report (the Trustees Annual Report) available on the GamCare website. Data presented in this report relate to individual clients who attended treatment services, not individual courses of treatment, unless otherwise stated. As it is possible for someone to undergo more than one course of treatment in a year this approach gives a more accurate picture of of who using our services.
| INTRODUCTION |
Table 2: Episodes and clients attending treatment by client type 2018/19 - 2020/21 2018/19
2019/20
2020/21
Total attended episodes of care 2
8,999
11,214
11,413
Total unique clients
8,461
10,441
10,372
Gambler
85%
82%
83%
Affected Other
15%
18%
17%
Type of client
2 - This includes individual episodes of care with at least one attended session in the year.
Session and Client Numbers l
Over 55,000 assessment and treatment sessions (both tier 2 and 3) were attended in 2020/21.
l
Tier 2 treatment made up 15% of all attended sessions, an increase on previous years.
l
l
l
Nearly a quarter (24%) of all clients attending any sessions in 2020/21, only attended tier 2 sessions. Anecdotally, clients’ ability to engage in structured tier 3 treatment was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and UK lockdowns. Over 10,300 unique clients attended at least one session of treatment (Tier 2 or 3) in 2020/21, which equated to over 11,300 episodes of care. Gamblers made up the majority of clients (83%) to attend treatment in 2020/21.
Attended sessions 2018/19 – 2020/21 Attended Tier 3 sessions
Attended Tier 2 sessions
6000
15%
5000
12% 4000
10%
7
3000
2000
90%
88%
85%
2018/19
2019/20
2020/21
1000
Unique clients by treatment type 2020/21
Table 1: Attended sessions 2018/19 to 2020/21 (thousands)
2018/19
2019/20
2020/21
Attended Tier 2 sessions
3,702
6,029
8,338
Attended Tier 3 sessions1
34,676
42,201
46,666
Total attended sessions
38,378
Tier 3 only Tier 2 only Tier 2 and 3
24%
59% 48,230
55,004
1 - Includes assessment and psychosocial treatment sessions.
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17%
| TREATMENT DATA SUMMARY |
Demographics Gender l
The majority (82%) of gamblers who attended treatment in 2020/21 identified as male.
l
Conversely, the majority (77%) of affected others attending treatment identified as female.
Table 3: Client type by gender 2020/21 Gambler
Affected Other
Total
Female
18%
77%
28%
Male
82%
23%
72%
Transgender/ non-binary
<1%
<1%
<1%
n=
8,409
1,738
10,147
Affected Other
15%
18%
17%
8 Age l
Six out of every ten treatment clients were aged 35 or under. The single largest group for both gamblers and affected others is aged 26-35 which accounted for 40% of all attending clients.
l
Affected others (19%) were considerably more likely than gamblers (6%) to be aged over 55; it is likely this group is made up of the parents of adult children who gamble.
Table 4: Client type by age band 2020/21 Gambler
Affected Other
Total
Under 26
19%
16%
18%
26-35
42%
29%
40%
36-45
23%
20%
22%
46-55
11%
15%
12%
Over 55
6%
19%
9%
8,567
1,783
10,350
n=
| TREATMENT DATA SUMMARY |
Ethnicity
Employment status
l
The majority of both gamblers (89%) and affected others (89%) who attended treatment were White.
l
The majority of both gamblers (75%) and affected others (76%) who attended treatment were employed.
l
Asian or Asian British was the next largest ethnic group (5% of gamblers and 4% of affected others).
l
Affected others were more likely than gamblers to be homemakers or retired (likely reflecting their relationships as either partner or parent).
l
Conversely, gamblers were more likely than affected others to be long term sick or disabled and unemployed.
Table 5: Client type by ethnicity 2020/21 Gambler
Affected Other
White
89%
89%
Black or Black British
3%
2%
Asian or Asian British
5%
4%
Mixed
2%
2%
Any other ethnic group
1%
3%
7,282
1,372
Student
3%
3%
Unemployed (looking for work)
10%
Unpaid voluntary work
n=
n=
Table 6: Client type by socio-economic status 2020/21 Gambler
Affected Other
Employed
75%
76%
Homemaker
2%
6%
In prison, in care, seeking asylum
0%
0%
4%
Long term sick or disabled
10%
4%
0%
0%
Other Economically Inactive
0%
0%
8,751
1,507
Retired
2%
7%
Student
2%
2%
Unemployed (looking for work)
10%
5%
Unpaid voluntary work
0%
0%
5,585
913
n=
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| TREATMENT DATA SUMMARY |
Relationship Status
Location
l
The large majority of affected others are either in a relationship (40%) or married/in civil partnership (45%). Just over one in ten affected others were single, separated or divorced.
l
A smaller majority of gamblers using treatment services were also either in a relationship (39%) or married/in civil partnership (23%) but over a third were single, separated or divorced (37%).
Table 7: Client type by relationship status 2020/21 Gambler
10
Affected Other
l
The largest proportion of clients attending treatment in North West (21%), South East (14%) and East of England (13%).
l
When compared to the general adult population in each region the proportion of clients attending treatment was generally consistent apart from the North West which was over-represented in treatment clients.
Table 8: Region of home postcode of clients attending treatment 2020/21 Treatment Clients
% of adult population
East Midlands
6%
7%
Divorced/Dissolved Civil Partnership
2%
In a Relationship
39%
40%
East of England
13%
9%
Married/Civil Partnership
23%
45%
London
10%
13%
Separated
4%
4%
North East
5%
4%
Single
31%
7%
North West
21%
11%
Widowed
1%
1%
Northern Ireland
0%
3%
5,557
937
Scotland
3%
8%
South East
14%
14%
South West
9%
8%
Wales
4%
5%
West Midlands
7%
9%
Yorkshire and The Humber
7%
8%
10,305
66,796,807
n=
3%
N=
3 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/ populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/ populationestimatesforukenglandandwalesscotlandandnorthernireland
| TREATMENT DATA SUMMARY |
Gambling Facilities and Activities 2020/21. This is an increase in online gambling and a decrease in offline from the previous year, likely caused, at least in part, by UK lockdowns and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in closure of venues and live sporting events being suspended.
Figures for gambling facilities and activities are calculated as a percentage of all gamblers who provided at least one gambling activity. This year data is only included where a client has provided a valid facility and activity (and so excludes things like online – not specified). This is to provide consistency with the Data Reporting Framework (DRF) the national reporting standard for all GambleAware commissioned services. l
l
The online facilities and activities most likely to be reported as problematic in 2020/21 were betting (34%), slots (30%) and casino games (22%).
l
The offline facilities and activities most likely to be reported as problematic in 2020/21 were betting shop betting (15%) and betting shop gaming machines (13%).
Online gambling was reported as problematic by 81% of gamblers attending treatment compared to just 40% for offline gambling in
Online/offline gambling of treatment clients 2018/19 - 2020/21 Offline
Online
90% 80%
81%
70% 69%
60% 50% 40%
50%
57%
55% 40%
30% 20% 10% 0% 2018/19
2019/20
2020/21
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Number of respondents = 7,569 (2020/21), 8,218 (2019/20) and 6,936 (2018/19)
11
| TREATMENT DATA SUMMARY |
Gambling facilities and activities of treatment clients 2019/20 and 2020/21 2019/20
2020/21 5%
0%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30% 31%
Online Betting 26%
Online Slots 19%
Online Casino Games Online Poker
2% 3%
Online Bingo
2% 3% 4%
Online Other
8%
Betting Shop Betting
12
15%
Betting Shop Gaming Machines
13%
Betting Shop Other
2%
Casino Table Games Casino Gaming Machings
Bingo Club Gaming Machines
1% 0.4%
Arcades Gaming Machines
Scratch cards Other
7%
2% 1% 1% 1%
National Lottery
5%
5%
Bingo Club Bingo
3% 1%
30%
4%
2% 4% 5% 6%
9%
19% 20%
30%
35% 34%
40%
| TREATMENT DATA SUMMARY |
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| TREATMENT DATA SUMMARY |
Impacts of Problem Gambling Figures for impacts of gambling are calculated as a percentage of all clients who provided at least one reason in the relevant year.
14
Only impacts reported by clients within the relevant year are included (so it does not include impacts that clients may previously have provided). Impacts are self-reported and may be being experienced currently or in the recent past for the person. The impacts are split into separate sections covering:
l
Mental Health
l
Health, Financial and Other Impacts
l
Alcohol and Drug Misuse
l
Debt
Self-Reported Mental Health Impacts
Self-Reported Health, Financial and Other Impacts
l
Anxiety/stress was the most common mental health impact for both gamblers and affected others attending treatment in 2020/21.
l
15% of gamblers attending treatment in 2020/21 reported having suicidal thoughts/ ideations either currently or in the past. Where the person has intention to take their life our teams take appropriate actions, which include but are not limited to, contacting emergency services or NHS crisis teams.
Table 9: Episodes and clients attending treatment by client type 2018/19 - 2020/21 Affected Other
Over three quarters (80%) of gamblers attending treatment reported being impacted by financial difficulties as a result of their problem gambling. This was followed by 73% identifying family/relationship difficulties.
l
Unsurprisingly, for affected others, the most common impact described was family/relationship difficulties, reported by 85% of clients.
Table 10: General impacts of problem gambling 2019/20 and 2020/21 Affected Other
Gambler
2019/20
2020/21
2019/20
2020/21
Anxiety/ Stress
94%
92%
92%
91%
Mental Health
36%
31%
46%
41%
Feeling Isolated
52%
36%
62%
44%
Suicidal thoughts/ ideations
6%
5%
20%
15%
1,305
1,255
7,984
7,121
N=
l
Gambler
2019/20
2020/21
2019/20
2020/21
General Health
29%
23%
30%
27%
Domestic Abuse
4%
5%
1%
1%
Family/ Relationship Difficulties
82%
85%
76%
73%
Financial Difficulties
55%
56%
80%
80%
Housing Problems
9%
8%
13%
12%
Work Difficulties
19%
16%
27%
22%
Criminal Activity
1%
1%
10%
6%
1,305
1,255
7,984
7,121
N=
| TREATMENT DATA SUMMARY |
Self-Reported Debt Levels The figures presented here are for gamblers only due to a high rate of non-disclosure for affected others, which anecdotally may be due to them not being fully aware of actual levels of debt. l
Over the past year, 66% of gamblers attending treatment reported having some level of debt.
l
Of the gamblers who provided an approximation of the level of debt, the most frequently mentioned was ‘less than £5000’ (38%), followed by £20,000 to £99,999 (20%).
Table 12: Reported debt levels of gamblers attending treatment 2020/21 Level of Debt
Treatment
Some debt
66%
No debt
34%
n=
5,486 1,305
Where debt level estimated:
Self-Reported Alcohol and Drug Misuse l
Less than £5,000
38%
£5,000 to £9,999
18%
£10,000 to £14,999
11%
£15,000 to £19,999
8%
£20,000 to £99,999
20%
£100,000 or more
2%
Bankruptcy/IVA
4%
n=
Over one in ten gamblers attending treatment reported alcohol misuse.
Table 11: Drug and Alcohol Misuse of treatment clients 2019/20 and 2020/21 Affected Other
Gambler
2019/20
2020/21
2019/20
2020/21
Alcohol Misuse
5%
4%
14%
13%
Drug Misuse
1%
1%
8%
7%
1,305
1,255
7,984
7,121
N=
TRE ATME NT DATA SU MMARY 2020-21 | GA MC ARE
3,080
15
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