Glasgow is receiving £3.44 million to help tackle gambling harms as the city has more bookmakers than anywhere else in the UK outside of London.
Councillor Laura Doherty revealed the funding at the latest council meeting as figures estimate one in 15 people in Glasgow may have a gambling problem.
It comes as Cardonald is set to have its fourth bookmakers within a five minute walk with local SNP councillors Elaine McSporran and Alex Wilson objecting to the plan.
Welcoming the funding to tackle gambling, Councillor Doherty said: “Working with partners across the Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, we submitted a bid to the Scottish Government for support from the new statutory Gambling Levy.
“I am pleased to confirm that Glasgow has been awarded £3.44 million over three years to deliver the Glasgow Project, a citywide public health programme embedded within our communities and existing services.”
The convenor for neighbourhood services and assets added: “This is a significant step forward. The programme will take a whole system, preventative approach, supporting workforce training, early intervention, youth services, financial inclusion and targeted community activity. It will also ensure that lived experience helps shape delivery, alongside strong data and evaluation.”
She pointed out investment had also been secured by Public Health Scotland and partner organisations and “the delivery of the Glasgow Project is now underway, with oversight through the Health and Social Care Partnership”.
Speaking at last week’s full council meeting, councillor Doherty added: “While this funding is welcome and long overdue, we recognise there is still more to do given the scale of harm. However, Glasgow is in a strong position and is leading the way with a coordinated, multi agency approach.”
She was responding to a question from councillor McSporran asking for an update on efforts to tackle gambling harms.
Councillor McSporran also pointed out she and fellow ward councillor Wilson are objecting to a proposed planning application in Cardonald for another bookmakers – bringing the “total to four within a five minute walk”.
