What is the impact of gambling on a person’s family and friends?

What’s the context for this evidence review?

Gambling is increasingly recognised as a public health issue that affects not only individuals who gamble, but also those around them, including partners, parents, children, relatives and friends. These “affected others” can experience emotional distress, relationship breakdown, financial strain and mental health challenges. Despite growing awareness, there is still limited and fragmented evidence about the scale of these harms, how they are defined and measured, and what forms of support are most effective.

Following the introduction of the new statutory levy on gambling operators on 6 April 2025, the UK government has committed to strengthening the independent evidence base on gambling harms. As part of this programme, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is commissioning a series of Rapid Evidence Reviews to identify gaps in knowledge and inform future research and policy priorities

What we’re doing

The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations is leading a six-month Rapid Evidence Review examining the impact of gambling on affected others. The review will chart peer-reviewed and grey literature from the UK and comparable countries to:

· Clarify how “affected others” are defined and conceptualised;

· Examine how harms are understood and measured;

· Assess evidence on effective interventions and support;

· Identify key gaps for future research and policy.

The project combines systematic review methods with stakeholder engagement, including practitioners, policymakers and people with lived experience. 

Findings will be presented through an accessible public report, evidence map and policy brief to help inform future research commissioning, service design and public health policy.

Overall, the project will lay the groundwork for a more coherent and equitable understanding of gambling harms, helping to shape practical responses that reduce their impact on families and communities across the country.

How it fits in

This review builds on TIHR’s growing body of work on gambling harms and their wider social impact. By focusing on affected others, this project extends our work beyond individual behaviour to consider how gambling affects families, social networks and community wellbeing. Recent projects include the evaluation of the Mobilising Local Systems Programme and the evaluation of a Residential Rehabilitation Service for people affected by gambling-harms and other co-morbidities.