Liverpool City Council launches action plan to reduce gambling harm 

Liverpool City Council is launching a citywide plan to tackle gambling-related harm, focusing on young adults and those most at risk.

The initiative brings together partners across health, social care, education, criminal justice, and community organisations to provide coordinated support, prevent harm, and reduce stigma. 

Gambling can have serious consequences, including financial stress, mental health challenges, relationship breakdowns, and crime. Around one in six young adults in Liverpool experience gambling-related harm, with men and those facing financial disadvantage most affected. Harms are often hidden, and stigma can prevent people from seeking help. 

The plan takes a prevention-led, evidence-informed approach, embedding early intervention and locally tailored support. It also strengthens referral pathways, improves access to treatment, and works to reduce exposure to gambling harms through responsible licensing, advertising policies, and community engagement. 

Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing, and Culture, said: 

“Gambling harm has real and practical consequences: debt that spirals, pressure on family finances, strain on relationships, and impacts on mental health. It affects individuals directly, but it also places stress on families and wider support networks. 

“This plan is about bringing our partners together with a shared sense of responsibility, to prevent harm wherever we can, to make support easier to find and access, and to challenge the stigma that keeps too many people suffering alone. We want people in Liverpool to know that asking for help is a sign of strength, not shame.” 

Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, added: 

“We know that gambling harms rarely happen in isolation. They are often linked with mental health challenges, financial hardship, substance use, or difficult experiences earlier in life. That’s why this plan takes a public health approach, looking at prevention as well as treatment, and focusing on the wider factors that increase risk. 

“By drawing on evidence and, crucially, on the lived experiences of people affected, we can intervene earlier, protect those most vulnerable, and create systems that work better for our residents. Our goal is not only to reduce harm, but to improve wellbeing and life chances across the city.” 

Dr Katy Hughes, Senior Clinical Psychologist, NHS Northern Gambling Service, said: 

“I’m proud to support the launch of Liverpool’s Reducing Gambling Harms Action Plan. 

“Too many people in Liverpool are being harmed by modern gambling products. These aren’t harmless games. They’re designed to keep people playing for longer and spending more. So, when someone struggles, it’s not because they’ve done something wrong. The harm is built into the products themselves. 

“This new Action Plan focuses on what really matters: helping people understand the risks, making support easier to find, and reducing the amount of gambling advertising and exposure across the city. It also puts a big emphasis on compassion, making sure people feel safe to ask for help without judgement. 

“By working together across Liverpool, we can protect families, reduce harm, and build a safer city for everyone.” 

Will Prochaska, Director of the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA) said:

“Liverpool Council is showing real leadership by recognising the harm gambling can cause to its residents and setting out a clear plan to address it.

“By bringing together research, prevention and support services – and recognising the commercial drivers of gambling harm – Liverpool is building a safer, healthier city.”

Liverpool’s plan emphasises local solutions and community partnership, ensuring residents know where to turn for help and that support is available when it’s needed most. 

The full action plan is available on the Liverpool City Council website. 

For more information and support resources, visit: 

• Kind to Your Mind Liverpool: information and links to local services 
• NHS Northern Gambling Service: 0800 121 4517, www.northerngamblingservice.nhs.uk/ or email: referral.ngs.@nhs.net 
• Gambling with Lives: Support for affected families 
• Beacon Counselling Trust: Call 0151 226 0696 or email support@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk for confidential support and referral options. 
• For immediate medical concerns: NHS 111