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Gambling and Gambling-Related Harms
Gambling addiction is a recognised mental health condition. Gambling addiction can be defined as a type of impulse-control disorder where a person has little or no control over the urge to gamble, even when they are aware that actions can hurt them and others. Many people do not recognise they have a gambling addiction. Therefore, talking about the harm people experience allows more people to understand how gambling might impact on them, and enables others to recognise when they are experiencing harm. It is also important to highlight how lower levels of harm can escalate into and become more significant before it becomes an addiction.
Adult gambling can impact on their family, friends, and colleagues. However, it is appreciated children and young people are also at risk from gambling products and gambling industry practices. Gambling harms are the negative impacts of gambling on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, communities, and society.
Key messages
- In County Durham gambling prevalence is estimated to be 3% for moderate-risk gambling and 2.4% for higher risk, problem gambling (2023). The equates to an estimated gambling population of 13,197 at moderate-risk and 10,558 estimated to be at higher risk, problem gambling.
- In 2023 County Durham had 67 licenced gambling premises.
- The estimated cost of problem gambling in County Durham is over £9 million. This includes costs associated with health, crime, housing and welfare.
Assessments and audits
In 2025, a County Durham Gambling Health Needs and Assets Assessment (HNAA) was carried out by Durham County Council’s Public Health Team.
County Durham Gambling Health Needs and Assets Assessment.
Our strategies, plans and groups
The Durham County Council gambling Statement of Principles (SOP) 2022-2025 seeks to promote the licensing objectives set out in the Gambling Act 2005.
The evidence base
Association of Directors of Public Health North East (2024): Position Statement on Commercial Determinants of Health concerning Gambling Related Harm
Local Government Association (2018): Tackling gambling related harm: A whole council approach
NICE Guidance NG248 (2025): Gambling-related harms: identification, assessment and management
Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (2023): The economic and social cost of harms associated with gambling in England