Gambling Harms Recovery Network

A new partnership initiative is launching in Aberdeen City to better understand and address the impact of gambling-related harms on individuals, families and communities.
The Gambling Harms Recovery Network (GHRN) brings together NHS Grampian Public Health Directorate, Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership (ACHSCP), the Scottish Recovery Consortium (SRC), community organisations and people with lived experience to develop a coordinated local response to gambling-related harm.
Gambling is common across Scotland. The Scottish Health Survey found that 58% of adults reported gambling in the previous 12 months, while online gambling participation has doubled over the last decade. Public Health Scotland recognises gambling harm as a significant public health issue, affecting not only people who gamble but also families, friends, communities and wider society.
Available evidence suggests that Aberdeen City faces a significant challenge associated with gambling harms. Local estimates indicate that between 2,000 and 3,000 adults in the city may be experiencing moderate to severe gambling-related harm, with demand for support potentially exceeding the UK average.
Gambling-related harm was also estimated to cost Aberdeen City approximately £4.4 million in 2023, reflecting impacts across health, housing, social care and wider public services. Despite this, access to treatment and support locally is lower than the national average for some groups, suggesting a significant unmet need.
To help address this, the GHRN will work with local communities to identify gaps in support, improve awareness, strengthen referral pathways and co-design services that are accessible, person-centred and free from stigma. The network aims to ensure that people affected by gambling harms can access the right support at the right time while embedding prevention and early intervention across existing services and community settings.
As part of the first phase of the project, a targeted survey will be launched for people with lived or living experience of gambling harm, including those who have been affected by someone else's gambling. The survey will help the partnership better
understand local experiences of gambling harms, identify barriers to seeking support, assess awareness of existing services, understand preferences for future support, and inform the design of the Gambling Harms Recovery Network.
In addition, a series of community engagement events will take place across Aberdeen City. These events will be open to local residents, people with lived experience, family members, frontline staff, community groups, third sector organisations and partner agencies, providing an opportunity to explore local needs, discuss potential solutions and help shape future service development.
The initiative adopts a whole-system public health approach, recognising that gambling harms can affect mental health, physical health, relationships, employment, finances and overall wellbeing. It will bring together health, social care, community and recovery services to improve prevention, early identification and access to support and recovery.
ACHSCP Prevention Health Lead Phil Mackie said: "Gambling-related harm can affect people from all walks of life and can have significant impacts on health, wellbeing, finances and relationships.
“Through the Gambling Harms Recovery Network, we want to work alongside communities, partners and people with lived experience to better understand local needs and develop a coordinated response that helps prevent harm and improves access to support.
“We recognise that gambling harms are often hidden, and many people may not know where to seek help. By listening to local experiences and working together across sectors, we can build a more connected, compassionate and effective system of support in Aberdeen City."
SRC Chief Executive Officer Tracey McFall said: "People with lived and living experience must be at the heart of how services are designed and delivered. This project offers an important opportunity for communities across Aberdeen City to share their experiences and influence how support is developed in the future.
“We encourage anyone who has been affected by gambling harms, directly or indirectly, to take part and help shape this work."
The project will begin with awareness-raising activity and a public survey, followed by a series of engagement events across Aberdeen City between autumn 2026 and early 2027. Findings and recommendations will be shared with stakeholders and communities to inform future service development and partnership action.
For more information about the Gambling Harms Recovery Network and opportunities to get involved, visit www.nhsgrampian.org/GHRN
Notes to Editors:
GHRN’s Phil Mackie and/or Tracey McFall are available for interview via Teams or by telephone. Please contact Graham Lawther (see contact details above) to arrange.
Who: The Gambling Harms Recovery Network (GHRN) is a partnership initiative involving NHS Grampian Public Health Directorate, Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership, the Scottish Recovery Consortium and community partners.
What: A coordinated programme of engagement, service development and partnership working designed to improve prevention, early identification, referral pathways and recovery support for people affected by gambling harms.
Where: Aberdeen City.
When: Initial awareness and survey activity will commence in 2026, with community engagement events planned across Aberdeen City from autumn 2026 through early 2027.
Why: To better understand local needs, reduce gambling-related harms and inequalities, increase awareness of available support, and ensure future services are shaped by local communities and people with lived experience.