UK
Gambling Harms Support Delivered by Third Sector Helped Nine Out of 10 Improve Condition – Annual Statistics Reveal
New GambleAware data from the National Gambling Treatment Service (NGTS) and the newly commissioned National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) highlight high efficacy and impact.
Nine in 10 people (88%) who completed treatment through the National Gambling Treatment Service – commissioned by the charity GambleAware – saw an improvement in their condition, according to the latest data released.
The National Gambling Treatment Service comprises 10 organisations operating across England, Scotland and Wales. The network provides free and confidential treatment, early intervention and prevention services for anyone experiencing gambling-related harms. Every year, nearly 7000 people access structured support through the network, and over 44,000 calls are answered by the National Gambling Helpline.
Despite considerable demand, waiting times were very short with 1 in 2 (50%) people seen within five days after their referral, and 3 in 4 (75%) seen within just nine days.
Anna Hargrave, Chief Commissioning and Strategy Officer at GambleAware, said: “Today’s data clearly demonstrates the value of the prevention-focused approach applied through our network. It is a timely reminder of the importance of investing in early treatment – especially as recently reported figures from the Gambling Commission suggest prevalence of harmful gambling may be much larger than previously estimated.”
In April, GambleAware relaunched the treatment service as the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) – and demand for services has already risen. In April-June 2023, there was a 24% year-on-year increase in calls to the National Gambling Helpline, and a 46% year-on-year increase in early intervention – including guided, online and in person support – delivered through the Helpline. This is in addition to an 18% rise in demand for structured treatment.
Graham England, CEO at Ara Recovery for All, said: “NGSN services represent the first line of defence in supporting and reaching people before problems with gambling become catastrophic consequences. We are talking about brilliant, dedicated teams making a decisive difference in the lives of thousands of people across Great Britain. The latest data from this network commissioned through GambleAware, highlights just how effective, and desperately needed, those tailored, community-focused, interventions are.”
The figures published by GambleAware highlights the effectiveness of the services provided and the emphasise on early intervention and prevention – but the charity has issued a stark warning that they could collapse under the Government’s current proposals for the implementation of the statutory levy on gambling operators.
Zoë Osmond, CEO of GambleAware, said: “We welcome the government’s forthcoming statutory levy on gambling operators – it is a measure we have long called for to make sure that funding for vital research, treatment and prevention of gambling harms is both long-term and transparent. However, the focus on specialist-led services means right now, hundreds of dedicated third sector support workers are deeply concerned about their future and the future of the communities they serve.
“There is an urgent need for reassurance from Government that these essential services will be protected during and following the transition. We cannot lose the vast years of experience and expertise contained in the National Gambling Support Network and the wider third sector.”
In addition to hampering the third-sector’s ability to deliver vital services, leading experts have also raised concerns that the Government’s proposed new system would increase pressure on the NHS’ finances and waiting lists.
Professor Dame Clare Gerada said: “From my experience running the NHS Primary Care Gambling Service, which is part of the National Gambling Support Network, I have seen first-hand the benefits of being part of a thriving and connected third sector ecosystem. My experience has also made it abundantly clear that whilst the NHS gambling clinics have a place in the system, what we also need is an approach which aims to prevent gambling harms from escalating – before people find themselves at the much more serious point of needing specialist care.
“Gambling harms are a societal, public health issue – not just a medical one. Whilst the specialist sector has a valuable and important role, relying predominantly on this sector is neither financially viable nor logistically feasible.”
A gathering for veterans and legends in iGaming
On Tuesday, July 1st (8PM–1AM), London’s most exclusive nightclub, The BOX Soho opens its doors for a night of next-level entertainment, unbeatable networking, and that unmatched energy before day one of iGB L!VE.
LEGENDS by Fire & Ice will bring together iGaming’s veterans, legends, and superstars for an exclusive takeover of The BOX, including its brand-new Speakeasy. A mix of individual invitations and hosted tables will welcome guests to one of the world’s most infamous clubs.
“Guests will revel in a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a total takeover of The BOX,” said Jodie Thind, co-organizer. “A limited number of table bookings are available for those looking to host clients, affiliates, partners, or friends. We’ll also be inviting a few hundred iGaming legends—trailblazers who have shaped the industry into what it is today.”
Lyceum Media is also providing a complimentary venue consultancy service and has put together a curated Venue Guide for companies attending London iGaming Week. Whether you’re organizing a private event, group dinner, or a high-energy DJ party, Lyceum can match you with the perfect venue for your gathering. fireandiceparty.com/venue-guide
🎟️LEGENDS Guest List and VIP Tables are limited, Secure your Spot:
📧 RSVP/Table Booking/Free Venue Consult/Info: [email protected]
🔗 fireandiceparty.com LI Event Page IG/LI: @LYCEUMMEDIA
LEGENDS by Fire & Ice is held during iGB LIVE’s London iGaming Week , uniting the industry’s elite for an unforgettable night of high-energy networking inside one of the city’s most legendary venues.
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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has unveiled a new and improved Consumer Voice framework, marking a major step forward in how the regulator listens to and understands the experiences of people who gamble in Great Britain.
The new framework expands the Commission’s research capabilities by introducing four specialist research suppliers, each bringing unique expertise to the table. This shift allows the Commission to delve deeper into the views, motivations, and behaviours of gambling consumers – including those from underrepresented or harder-to-reach groups such as people gambling on specific gambling products, particular demographic groups and those experiencing negative consequences from their own or someone else’s gambling.
Under the new framework, the Consumer Voice programme will now be supported by:
Yonder Consulting – specialists in mixed methodology research
The Behavioural Insights Team – experts in experimental and behavioural research
Humankind Research – qualitative experts with a focus on hard-to-reach audiences
Savanta – providers of fast-turnaround, cost-effective research.
Each supplier has signed a two-year contract, with the potential for extension until 2029.
“This new framework gives us greater agility and reach than ever before. With these four partners, we’re better equipped to commission high-quality research quickly and use a range of approaches to respond to emerging trends or risks as they develop. The Consumer Voice programme is central to our efforts to ensure our decisions are grounded in the lived experiences of all consumers and the evolving realities of gambling,” said the Gambling Commission’s Head of Research, Laura Carter.
Consumer Voice complements the Commission’s nationally representative Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) by offering a flexible, targeted approach to gathering insight. It allows the Commission to conduct deep dives into specific issues, test new ideas and track consumer sentiment over time.
In 2024 alone, the programme engaged with over 10,000 gambling consumers. Previous studies have tackled issues like financial risk checks, bonus incentives and gambling during the cost-of-living crisis.
Joe Wheeler, Associate Director of Yonder Consulting, said: “Over the past three years Yonder Consulting have partnered with the Gambling Commission in delivering mixed-methods research for the Consumer Voice Programme. We’ve supported on a wide range of impactful research programmes, covering elements of the consumer experience like trust in the industry, engagement with the unlicensed market, behaviours during key sporting events and the impact of marketing and bonus offers. We’re delighted to continue our ongoing partnership and to support the Commission in delivering against key policy evidence gaps.”
Eleanor Collerton, Senior Advisor of the Behaviour Insights Team (BIT), said: “We’re delighted to contribute to the Gambling Commission’s Consumer Voice programme. As a global research and innovation consultancy, BIT combines a deep understanding of human behaviour with evidence-led problem solving to improve people’s lives. We’re excited to contribute our expertise in experimental research to generate new insights, address key evidence gaps, and help ensure consumer voices shape meaningful and effective gambling policy, building on more than five years of work to reduce gambling harms in GB.”
Tom Silverman, Co-Founder of Humankind Research, said: “Humankind Research specialises in research with a positive impact, and much of our work is exploring lived experience of complex issues and under-served groups. So we are delighted to be chosen to be the Gambling Commission’s partner for ‘in-depth qualitative research’ within the Consumer Voice framework. It is a fantastic opportunity to work in close collaboration with the Commission to really understand the experiences and needs of people who are involved in or affected by gambling; using sensitive and inclusive research approaches to gain strategic insights that can help to guide policy and priorities.”
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Press Releases
AI has transformed the art of buying a race horse, with records smashed at 2025 breeze up sale events
2025’s breeze up sales are completed, with last Friday’s Tattersalls Ireland sale at Fairyhouse concluding the events for the year.
Breeze up sales are a vital part of the horse racing industry. Data is essential for punters to make informed sports bets and is equally important when assessing the potential of a race horse.
At a breeze up event, race horse trainers, buyers and journalists get to watch two-year-old horses literally “breeze up and down” the track, showing off their pedigree, canter, gait, and hundreds of other data points that go into predicting a horse’s future performance on the racetrack.
Not only have the sales broken all the 2024 records in many metrics, they’ve also surpassed some all-time records since breeze up sales began in Great Britain in the 1970s – from top-selling lots to the total sales figures.
One notable facet of this year’s events was the contribution of Pythia Sports’ new proprietary technology, which combines artificial intelligence, machine learning, and historical breeze up sales data to improve the accuracy of performance predictions.
The Highlights
Stephen Davison, head of commercial operations at Pythia, said: “The video content captures some brilliant highlights of everything that goes into creating a complete data set at the 2025 sales. The breeze up continues to be an ever-popular sale for buyers seeking top two-year-old talent, and it’s a testament to the hard work of all the consignors and buyers who helped drive this year’s record-breaking results. We hope the insights provided through our data have played a small part in supporting their success.
“From our point of view, we’re really pleased to have been involved in 18 purchases, with the combined purchase prices exceeding £1.4 million. We’re very much looking forward to seeing them on the track and hope they prove very lucky for their owners.”
Davison continues: “It’s also fantastic for those who want an inside look into some of the hard work that happens behind-the-scenes in horse racing. We’re really pleased at how successful the sales have been, and we love how the sector has responded to our breeze up technology.
“Incorporating more than 100 essential factors, the innovative tech is a proprietary model which evaluates time, stride and biomechanics for every horse at the breeze ups. These individual factors then generate a comprehensive rating for each horse,” said Davison.
Breeze up sales – by the numbers
2025 was a banner year for breeze ups across Europe, with YOY changes increasing greatly and some historic records smashed.
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Total turnover from all sales: c£70.2m
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Craven YOY increase: +25.7%
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Goffs UK YOY increase: +12.4%
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Arqana YOY increase: +24.8%
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Tatersalls Ireland YOY increase: +21.5%
In addition, at the Craven sale, the record purchase price for a breeze up horse was broken on consecutive days:
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£1.4m Acclamation colt – purchased by Godolphin
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£1.75m – Havana Grey colt purchased by Amo Racing,
Further records broken:
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The horse that won the 2,000 Guineas, Ruling Court, was a breeze up horse that sold for €2.4m at 2024’s Arqana Sale
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The first-ever Goffs sale of a £1m breeze up horse occurred this year, with a Mehmas colt selling to Godolphin.
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2025’s Tattersalls Ireland sale was the first time trade has exceeded the €10m euros mark – the first time in Tattersalls Ireland history the 8-figure mark was reached.
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Top lot was a Night of Thunder colt sold to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock for 580,000 EUROS.
“Tattersalls Ireland provided a fantastic finale to the breeze up season, with average prices rising and yet more records falling. It’s clear that breeze ups have become an essential part of the sales calendar, offering buyers both quality and confidence. It’s an exciting time for the sector — and now, with the sales behind us, the spotlight shifts to the track. I’m sure, like me, everyone is eagerly anticipating how these horses perform, especially with some already making a strong impression,” Davison explained.
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