Councillors in Hull have complied a report which reflects the growing female interest in online gambling within the local area. Staff working in Hull local services comment on how in recent years they have seen a rise in problem female gamblers with online bingo being the culprit.
There is the possibility that people of Hull are gambling more than ever before partly down to the rise in and availability of online gambling. The report claims 32% of Hull residents have gambled in the last four weeks, 18% of that figure have gambled with online operators.
One service provider, quoted in the report, said:
“It’s not just about men going into the bookies any more…women have never been in a betting shop in their lives but I’ve seen women who have maxed four credit cards spending £20,000 online without having to leave the house.”
Gambling addiction amongst males continues to be a concern for councillors in Hull, however the rise in female addiction levels is also of new growing concern with estimates of up to 3676 adults within Hull having urges to gamble regularly despite knowing the consequences or having a drive to stop.
Youth Concern In Hull
Gambling is also becoming an increasing problem among youngsters in Hull, with a fourfold increase from 0.4 per cent in 2016 to 1.7 per cent in 2018.
One factor is that the difference between gambling and video gaming “is becoming harder to distinguish in some video games” with children purchasing in game features and ‘loot boxes’ which have an element of luck upon purchase, often using parents credit and debit cards.
The number of children aged 11 to 16 gambling (14%) is higher than those drinking alcohol (13%), smoking cigarettes (4%) and taking illegal drugs (2%).
There is no nationally mandated school-based education programme for youngsters like those which target smoking, alcohol or sex education, Hull counsellors believe this needs to be a focus moving forward to reduce gambling harms within the next generation and must be a renewed government initiative.
NHS Gambling Clinic Opened In Leeds
The first of its kind opened outside London, The Northern Gambling Clinic opened in Leeds will certainly be of use to those living in Hull.
Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said:
“Problem gambling is an addiction which ruins lives for thousands of people and their families. No one’s access to support should depend on where they live, so we are expanding treatment outside of London to help addicts get the support they need to turn their lives around”.
Professionals in Hull will receive training from The Northern Gambling Clinic to be able to swiftly identify gambling issues with Hull residents in order to put appropriate support in place.
Also a pilot project funded by GamCare has been created and is aimed at supporting young people to know the harsh consequences of gambling addictions and to raise awareness of the potential dangers.