Gamble Aware’s survey discovered a striking risk to the region’s economy, projecting an estimated burden of £1.8 million.
The scale of gambling in Great Britain shows the challenge, as 44 per cent of adults gambled at least once in a month in an industry worth £14.1 billion-a-year (Gambling Commission).
The potential harm is prominent, with 2 million Brits feeling the effects of gambling harm.
This includes an alarming count of 55,000 children as problem gamblers.
Dean Stewart, the chief executive of Citizens Advice East Devon, said: “At Citizens Advice East Devon we’re increasingly concerned that people are turning to gambling to try and cope with increases in the cost of living.
“In addition to bookies across our towns, people are increasingly betting from home using online gaming platforms.
“When betting becomes addictive, we see people getting in serious financial stress and this can also cause severe problems with family relationships and mental health.”
Addressing this issue, Citizens Advice East Devon has partnered with the national addiction service, GamCare, and associates ARA to provide treatment channels to those in need.
Mr Stewart added, “We recognise it’s very difficult for people with addictions to acknowledge their problems and come forward for help.
“Our advisers have received training to look for signs of problem gambling and to engage people with gambling problems or their friends and relatives in a sensitive conversation which might lead to a referral and support by ARA.”
Lindsey Taylor, ARA South West community champion, said: “We provide free and confidential information on gambling related harm, awareness training for professionals, talking therapy, affected others support, relapse prevention support and lived experience groups.
“This is not only for the person engaging in gambling, but also anyone affected by someone else’s gambling. Our objective is to deliver recovery and better lives, for anyone suffering from gambling related harms.”
The types of gambling risk include lotteries, bingo, arcade games, gaming machines, sports betting, casinos, and online gaming – including children’s apps that offer ‘in-game’ purchases.
Kai McConkey, an ARA Gambling Service community champion emphasised the severe impact, sharing his personal story of struggle and recovery.
He said: “What seemed like an impossible situation at times, became something I could slowly work through thanks to this support, and by opening-up and talking about my issues.
“There is now lots of help available for anyone suffering gambling related harms.”