Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 19, 2025

Purpose: Over the past few years there has been increasing recognition of the preventable harms from gambling industry products and practices experienced by individuals, families, communities and society as a whole.   Sheffield has been taking steps to address these harms for some time, however this report introduces the city’s first Gambling Harm Prevention Strategy.  Co-produced by the Sheffield Gambling Harms Stakeholder Group, the strategy sets out a comprehensive plan as to what we will do at a local level to prevent gambling harms in the city.

Content: 11.1 The Strategic Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning submitted a report seeking the adoption, endorsement and implementation of the Gambling Harms Prevention Strategy for Sheffield 2024-2034. The aim of the strategy is to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to preventing and reducing gambling harms in Sheffield; harms which may be affecting as many as 45,000 local people.   Over the past few years there has been increasing recognition of the preventable harms from gambling industry products and practices experienced by individuals, families, communities and society as a whole.   Sheffield has been taking steps to address these harms for some time, however this report introduces the city’s first Gambling Harms Prevention Strategy. Co-produced by the Sheffield Gambling Harms Stakeholder Group, the strategy sets out a comprehensive plan as to what we will do at a local level to prevent and reduce gambling harms in Sheffield.     11.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-       (a) notes the content of the report now submitted and of the Gambling Harms Prevention Strategy for Sheffield 2024-2034; and   (b) adopts and endorse the Gambling Harms Prevention Strategy for Sheffield 2024-2034.     11.3 Reasons for Decision     11.3.1 As many as one in twelve people in the UK - that is nearly 5.5 million individuals - may be experiencing the harms from gambling industry products and practices. In Sheffield this equates to as many as 45,000 local residents.     11.3.2 The harms from gambling are many and varied and include negative impacts on mental health, physical health, relationships, finances and housing. These harms are not distributed equally in society.     11.3.3 Whilst Sheffield has been taking steps to reduce these harms for some time, the adoption and endorsement of the first Gambling Harms Prevention Strategy for Sheffield 2024-2034 will provide a clear and agreed framework and plan for local action.     11.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     11.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Do nothing further to prevent and reduce gambling harms. Given the public health impacts of gambling harms, their economic burden and the adverse consequences to individuals, families and communities in Sheffield, including disadvantaged groups, this option was rejected.     11.4.2 Alternative Option 2: Continue to take action to prevent and reduce gambling harms without an agreed strategy in place. This option was rejected as co-producing, adopting and implementing a local, place-based strategy to address gambling harms provides clarity, focus and direction with evidence-based priorities and actions aligned to these that use limited resources to best effect.