Bradford to launch youth gambling harm campaign amid rising concerns

Bradford Council is launching a new campaign aimed at tackling gambling harm among young people. It’s estimated that problem gambling costs the city £13.7m each year.

There is also growing concern about the concentration of betting shops in deprived areas and the increasing exposure to gambling for teenagers. The campaign will focus on education, prevention and support. It will target those most at risk and highlight the wider social and psychological impacts of gambling addiction.

Gambling premises concentrated in deprived areas

A report compiled for Bradford Council’s corporate scrutiny committee found there are currently 139 premises holding gambling permits across the district. While this is only two fewer than in January 2025, the number remains high. In total, 58 premises operate as betting shops, bingo halls or casinos.

A significant proportion of these venues are located in areas of higher deprivation. There have been previous concerns about a particular city centre stretch nicknamed “bookies’ row.” Here, there are five betting shops next to each other.

Planning appeal highlights limits of local control

The concentration intensified after a planning application for a fifth betting shop on the street was initially refused, before being overturned on appeal. The appeal was upheld after Jennings Bet successfully challenged the decision.

A government planning inspector ruled that, given the number of existing gambling establishments already present, the addition of another was “unlikely to have any significant effect on people or the choices they make”. As a result, five of the six units on the street are now betting shops.

The report acknowledged that place-based evidence of gambling-related risk and harm currently plays a limited role in planning policy.

New campaign to target young adults at risk

The new campaign is expected to launch in the coming weeks. It will focus on people aged 18–34 and will aim to raise awareness of the psychological and social impacts of gambling addiction. There will be promotion of the available support services and education about commercial tactics used by gambling companies.

The initiative draws on findings from the annual Young People and Gambling Survey 2025. This examined exposure to gambling among under-18s.

Youth gambling participation is rising

The survey found that 30% of 11 to 17-year-olds reported spending their own money on gambling in the past year. This figure is up from 27% in 2024. The increase was largely attributed to growth in unregulated gambling, which rose from 15% to 18%. GamStop sign-ups have also risen among the younger generation.

The study also showed that boys continue to be more likely to gamble than girls. This reinforces concerns about early exposure and long-term harm.