GAMBLERS who are vulnerable to suffering from addiction and the problems it can cause are set to benefit from a new support service in Denbighshire.

Citizens Advice Denbighshire (CAD), the independent advice service that covers a range of issues such as mental health, legal rights and scam awareness, will now offer expert advice about gambling-related harm and treatment to North and Mid Wales.

The two-year initiative is funded by GambleAware as part of its £1.5million expansion of its prevention services across Wales.

Citizens Advice Cymru research found that more than three-in-four gamblers had built up debt, which can result in mental health problems, job loss and relationship difficulties. Addiction occurs when a person has a compulsion to gamble despite experiencing such negative effects.

CAD's offices in Denbigh, Ruthin and Rhyl will partner with the Addiction Recovery Agency and receive frontline staff training to identify clients who are at risk of gambling addiction and provide them with advice about causes, effects and treatment.

Darren Millar, Welsh Government assembly member for Clwyd West, said: “I’m delighted to hear about this new service. Excessive gambling is a public health risk that ruins the lives of gamblers and their loved ones, and we must do all we can to help those affected."

CAD is one of 14 regional services in Wales and England to take part in the initiative.

Marc Etches, chief executive of GambleAware, added: “It is vital that a wide range of support agencies are able to offer support to people who may be suffering gambling-related harms.”