Peter Tutton, Head of Policy, Research and Public Affairs at StepChange Debt Charity, for comments on the need for support services to have a holistic approach to helping those with gambling-related debt.

Gambling treatment and support services need to dovetail better with debt advice, to ensure that recovery pathways for people affected by gambling harm are more likely to succeed, according to a new report by the University of Bristol in conjunction with StepChange Debt Charity, supported by the Gambling Commission.

The report finds that gambling is only rarely reported as a driver of problem debt, with around 2% of StepChange clients disclosing gambling associated with their debt.

The new report suggests it is incumbent on gambling firms, credit providers and the advice sector to recognise the specific problems that those with extensive gambling debt can face, and the challenges and opportunities to address when seeking to resolve them.

Peter Tutton, Head of Policy, Research and Public Affairs at StepChange Debt Charity, comments:

Gambling firms and consumer credit lenders need to try to spot and deal with warning signs earlier, while the debt advice sector needs to continue to develop holistic ways of working with other advice and support services that people with gambling vulnerability need, alongside their debt advice. We’ll be seeking to work on practical ways to achieve these results, on the basis of the insights gained from the report.

Full release: Gambling needs more holistic management to reduce harm when it causes debt, new research suggests

✉️ Press Office, 0207 391 4598 / press@stepchange.org