North London partners awarded £250,000 to combat gambling-related harm

A new Tackling Gambling Harms Coalition has been established to support residents across North Central London (NCL).

The funding of £250,000 was awarded by Greo Evidence Insights through the Network to Reduce Gambling Harms’ Community Investment Programme, following an open and competitive peer-review process.

Thrive LDN is excited to be a partner in this project, which seeks to reduce the financial and human costs of gambling harms in our region.

Addressing a hidden crisis

Gambling harms is a profound issue that ripples through communities, affecting families, friends, and co-workers. In NCL, the annual cost is estimated at £54.5 million, for example healthcare costs and the impact on affected families and local communities.

The human cost is even higher, with adults experiencing gambling harms at least twice as likely to experience suicidal ideation or death by suicide. These harms ripple through families, friends and workplaces.

Activities will be focused on coordinating local efforts to ensure a more effective response. Key areas of work include:

• Early identification: Rolling out validated screening tools across local authority, NHS, and voluntary sector partners.

• Public awareness: Launching a targeted and co-developed campaign during the 2026 FIFA World Cup to highlight gambling risks and industry tactics.

• Community support: Engaging with groups most affected, including those experiencing health inequalities and those living in areas of high deprivation.

• Evidence and evaluation: Developing a clear, proven blueprint for other regions by rigorously evaluating what works.

The project followed a successful bid praised by funders for its potential to make a “significant community impact” in the region.

Lynette Charles, CEO of Mind in Haringey, said: “Mind in Haringey is proud to lead this coalition. Our deep roots in the community show us that mental health and gambling harm are closely linked. This funding allows us to move beyond individual borough boundaries. By working together, we can ensure that anyone in North Central London who is struggling has a clear path to the right support at the right time.”

The Network to Reduce Gambling Harms is funded through regulatory settlement funds awarded to Greo for socially responsible purposes. Grant recipients are not direct parties to a regulatory settlement.

A word from the coalition partners

Dan Barrett, Thrive LDN director, said: “The 2026 World Cup will be a period of intense gambling advertising. Through this coalition, Thrive LDN is looking forward to working with partners to launch a disruptive campaign to counteract those pressures. We want to reduce the stigma of asking for help and remind Londoners that reaching out is a sign of strength.”

Cllr Barry Rawlings, Leader of Barnet Council, said: “Gambling harm is often a hidden driver of financial crisis. This partnership will help our frontline teams identify people who are struggling with gambling-related debt much earlier, allowing us to offer the financial and emotional support they need to rebuild their lives.”

Cllr Camron Aref-Adib, Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living at Camden Council, said: “Our high streets should be safe spaces for everyone. By sharing expertise across the five boroughs, we can better use our licensing powers to protect our residents and challenge the high density of gambling venues in our most vulnerable areas.”

Cllr Alev Cazimoglu, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care at Enfield Council said: “Early intervention is vital. We are excited to explore how we can roll out the screening tools piloted in Enfield across North London. This means more professionals will have the confidence to start a conversation about gambling and provide a bridge to help.”

Cllr Lucia das Neves, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing at Haringey Council, said: “In Haringey, we are focused on the link between mental health and the impact of harmful gambling products. This coalition enables us to co-produce support directly with our residents. By working together across North Central London, we can better protect those at risk and ensure that help is available long before a person reaches a point of crisis.”

Cllr Dr Sara Hyde, Executive Member for Health and Social Care at Islington Council, said: “To tackle this issue effectively, we must understand the true scale of the challenge. Our ongoing work continues to build a strong evidence base to show exactly where support is needed most, ensuring our services are designed around the real experiences of our residents.”

Mike Parker, director of Progress Health Partnerships (PHP), who will act as the coalition’s evaluation lead, added: “To create lasting change, we must rigorously evaluate what works. We are excited to be playing a part to help co-produce an evidence framework that tracks the real-world impact of screening tools and campaigns. By capturing these insights, we can ensure this project provides a clear, proven blueprint for other regions.”