Lambeth's Director of Public Health has reported on the borough's multi-faceted efforts to tackle gambling harms, highlighting community engagement, workforce training, and strategic planning.

Ruth Hutt, Director of Public Health, presented her quarterly report to the Health and Wellbeing Board, detailing ongoing work from July to September 2026. A significant focus was placed on the emerging strategy to combat gambling harms, a public health issue affecting an estimated 41,250 adults in Lambeth, with a further 8,110 identified as being at high risk. The joint South East London (SEL) Gambling Harms Needs Assessment, which is due to be published, reveals that for each high-risk gambler, an average of six others are affected. The harms are wide-ranging and severe, including financial hardship, significant mental health impacts, an increased risk of suicide (people suffering from gambling disorder are 15 times more likely to take their lives), relationship breakdowns, and links with crime. The estimated annual cost across Lambeth is around £6.24 million, excluding direct financial costs to gamblers.

Collage of images depicting community outreach, educational sessions, and public health initiatives.
Collage of images depicting community outreach, educational sessions, and public health initiatives.

Lambeth has received £66,691.27 from the new statutory gambling levy, which aims to fund research, prevention, and treatment. Nationally, the levy funding is directed in specific proportions: 20% for research, 30% for prevention, and 50% for treatment. Locally, Lambeth's received funds are being used for gambling-harms prevention work. The council is collaborating with five other South East London boroughs to develop a joint Gambling Harms Needs Assessment, which will inform a local prevention plan. The development of this local plan is underway, with the Lambeth Public Health team engaging with local stakeholders to implement it by the end of December 2026. This plan will complement activities delivered jointly across South East London.

Pie chart illustrating the allocation of funds for tackling gambling harms, with 50% dedicated to treatment, 30% to prevention, and 20% to research.
Pie chart illustrating the allocation of funds for tackling gambling harms, with 50% dedicated to treatment, 30% to prevention, and 20% to research.

Key proposals include raising awareness, challenging the normalisation of gambling, reducing exposure to advertising, and strengthening planning and licensing to limit gambling premises. However, significant challenges exist in raising awareness and challenging normalisation. These include the stigma and shame associated with gambling problems, the omnipresence of gambling advertisements, and a general lack of awareness and confidence among professionals in discussing and responding to gambling issues. The industry's agility in targeting different demographics and difficulty in reaching deprived areas and specific groups, such as working-class young men, also present barriers. Confidentiality concerns and the need to ensure programmes are free from industry influence are also critical considerations.

The board heard presentations from representatives of the Primary Care Gambling Service (PCGS) and Age UK Lambeth, who are delivering the Better Together programme. This community-based initiative focuses on outreach, awareness-raising, and personalised support. Activities include community events, a radio show, resource distribution, and professional training. Age UK Lambeth also provides social prescribing support, connecting individuals with specialist clinical gambling support, debt advice, and housing services. The collaboration with PCGS is exemplified by a case study where an individual received integrative therapy and joined a women's support group. PCGS is a national service commissioned by NHS England that provides timely treatment and education to primary care workforces.

A mobile health and wellbeing unit,
A mobile health and wellbeing unit, "the health and wellbeing express," operated by Lambeth Together and the NHS, is shown with staff interacting with the public.

Proposed changes to planning and licensing aim to strengthen controls on gambling premises, particularly through the Local Plan refresh. This involves supporting evidence-based refusals and applying strong licence conditions, drawing on successful approaches from other local authorities. A public consultation is planned to inform these changes. The Local Plan refresh is a crucial document setting out the borough's vision for growth and improvement over the next 10-15 years, with the public health team providing input to influence the built environment, including the location of gambling premises.

In addition to gambling harms, the report touched upon mental health and wellbeing initiatives, including the continued delivery of mental health awareness and suicide prevention training. The Lived Experience of Suicide conference on 6 October was also highlighted.

Further details on the Director of Public Health's activities are available in the quarterly report, which can be accessed via the council's website. Public reports pack Thursday 17-Sep-2026 18.00 Health and Wellbeing Board.