Bradford launches campaign to protect young people from gambling harm

Bradford Council is set to launch a campaign to educate young people on the “psychological and social impact of gambling addiction”.

Due to run throughout March, the social media-focused campaign will alert 18 to 34-year-olds to “commercial tactics used by gambling companies” and promote “resources for those affected by gambling harm”.

According to a report on Bradford Council’s Gambling Related Harm Action Plan 2025/26, a high proportion of the city’s 139 gambling permits are located in the most deprived areas.

‘Vulnerable’

The report highlighted a rejected planning application for a fourth bookmakers on one street, which was later overturned on appeal. Now, five of the six street units are gambling firms.

Under what is known as “aim to permit” in the Gambling Act 2005, local authorities are currently obligated not to reject applications for new gambling venues.

The report explained: “The planning permission appeal stated there was no substantive evidence provided before the planning inspector that the proposed use of the premises would be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the local community. This was a disappointing position and highlights the potential current limitations of public health representation”.

It also stated: “Increased gambling harm is linked to people living in more deprived areas and unemployed and increased exposure to gambling can make some people more vulnerable to gambling harms, e.g. people experiencing poor health and mental health or with poor life satisfaction.

“As a significant number of premises are in the most deprived areas, this heightens the potential risks to those groups and the potential to exacerbate health inequalities.”

Deprivation

According to the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods, deprived areas have 70 per cent more vape shops, bookmakers, off-licences and takeaways than wealthier areas.

The Commission’s report on ‘The State of Neighbourhood Social Infrastructure’ highlighted that there are an average of 8.5 shops providing “limited social value” in the ten per cent most disadvantaged neighbourhoods, in contrast to 4.9 in the most affluent areas.

The businesses account for 18 per cent of local shops in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods, up from twelve per cent in 2015.