PEOPLE who have faced gambling issues are invited to take part in an event organised to “kick-start the conversation” on protecting others from harm.

Gambling, which has been labelled a public health issue by medical professionals and academics, can cause money problems, relationship breakdowns, stress and anxiety.

Glasgow is leading the way on combating the issue, with lessons learned in the city to be used to shape future work across Scotland and the UK.

‘Experts by experience’ can join Glasgow City Council staff and councillors, the NHS, charities and leading researchers at an online event, via Zoom, on Thursday (August 6) at 6.30pm.

READ MORE: Study to look at online gambling in Glasgow during Covid-19 lockdown

It will be hosted by Public Health Scotland and the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE).

Will Griffiths, programme manager at the ALLIANCE, said: “It is crucial that people with lived experience are involved in shaping work to reduce gambling harms across Glasgow.

“The person centred approach proposed by the Glasgow Gambling Harms Group is timely and there is scope for strong engagement with people with lived experience, third sector, public health colleagues and other statutory partners to reduce the harm gambling cause across the city.

“This event will be a vital starting point to ensure that people with lived experience of gambling harms will be at the heart of co-producing the implementation of the work in Glasgow.”

Phil Mackie, a consultant at Public Health Scotland, said: “People can experience a wide range of harms linked to gambling, including money problems, relationship breakdown, stress and anxiety, and, in some extreme circumstances, suicide.

“For every person that experiences problems with gambling, on average six other people in their lives will be negatively affected.

“Whilst anyone can be affected at any time, we know that some people and communities are more vulnerable to gambling harm than others.”

He added: “This situation has, in all likelihood, been exacerbated by the social and economic impacts of Covid-19.

READ MORE: Calls for city to lead the way in battle against harmful gambling

“As we move from managing the pandemic towards renewal and recovery, taking action now to tackle gambling harms will help make Glasgow a better, fairer place to live, work and play.”

The event is “the first of many ways” for people to get involved in a three-year project funded by the UK Gambling Commission.

It aims to understand how people and communities experience harm through gambling and decide what action should be taken in Glasgow.

Bailie Annette Christie, convener for wellbeing, empowerment, community and citizen engagement at the city council, said: “As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow must tackle gambling harms head on.

“There has been a massive rise in recent years in online gambling, gambling advertising and marketing, coupled with a growing conflation between gaming and gambling and the ‘gamblification’ of sports.

“We need to understand the impact of these changes on vulnerable people, especially young people, and their future potential.”