Gambling

The NHS website  and Begambleaware offer a useful questionnaire for you to complete to see whether gambling is a problem for you.

Financial harm – caused to gamblers and their close associates, particularly intimate partners. Gambling-related debt can lead to other harms such as relationship problems, physical and mental health problems, and crime. Financial harm also affects the children of gamblers.

Relationship harm - gambling can directly causes relationship problems affecting the gambler and their close associates, including their children. Examples of harms included arguments, relationship strain or domestic abuse.

Mental and physical health harms

Anxiety and depression were the most commonly measured mental health disorders. Gamblers often experience guilt, shame, loss of self-esteem, loneliness and sleep problems and neglected caring properly for themselves. Close associates of gamblers reported negative emotional, psychological and health impacts. These included anxiety, depression and sleep problems.

Employment and educational harms

Gamblers have lost jobs, been demoted or resigned due to gambling. Gambling was linked to loss of concentration on work activities, showing up late, not turning up for work or turning up after no sleep. Work performance can be affected. Absenteeism, job turnover, withdrawal from education or reduced educational attainment represent societal harms.

Criminal and anti-social behaviour harms

Gambling-related financial difficulties were associated with crimes by adult gamblers. This included theft and selling drugs. This criminal activity affected close associates and wider society. For example, gamblers took out loans in other people’s names, stole from friends and family and committed fraud.

Cultural harms

Cultural harms refer to the tensions between gambling and cultural practices and beliefs, and ‘normalisation’ (where an activity and the associated harms become thought of as ‘normal’).  Some gamblers and their close associates experience additional harm like shame and isolation. Gambling is normalised in society so harms can be passed on to the next generation.

HM Gov Research and analysis Gambling-related harms evidence review: summary September 2021

• Limit how much you gamble. You can do this asking gambling establishments to stop serving you.  This is called self-exclusion.  Ask your bank to limit how much you spend.  Use software to block websites.

https://www.begambleaware.org/self-exclusion  explains how to self-exclude

Gambling Commission explains how you can apply to your bank to block gambling payments

BeGambleAware explains how to activate gambling blocking software

• Talk to someone about your gambling problem
• Get help to deal with debt
• Check if you can get a refund if you’ve borrowed money
• Complain if you were allowed to gamble after you self-excluded (You can do this on the Gambling Commission website)
• Get support if you’re finding things difficult. There are lots of useful resources and support services detailed below.

If you choose to gamble you can follow these Top Tips for staying safe

• Don't think of gambling as a way to make money
• The venue is using gambling to make money. It's not designed to work the other way around. Think of gambling as an entertainment expense.
• Only gamble with money you can afford to lose
• Gamble within your weekly entertainment budget, not with your phone bill or rent budget.
• Set a money limit in advance
• Decide how much you can afford to lose before you go to play. When it's gone – it's over! If you win, you've been lucky, but don't be disappointed if your luck doesn't continue.
• Set a time limit in advance
• It's easy to lose track of time when you're gambling. Set a time limit or alarm, and when time's up – quit! Odds are that the more time you spend gambling, the more money you will lose.
• Never chase your losses
• If you lose your set money limit and then try to win some of it back before you leave, then you haven't really set a money limit. Chasing your losses will usually just lead to bigger and bigger losses.
• Don't gamble when you're depressed or upset
• Decision-making can be more difficult when you're stressed or emotionally upset. Make sure you only gamble when you're feeling happy and clear headed.
• Balance gambling with other activities
• When gambling becomes your only form of entertainment, it's unlikely that you're still just gambling for the fun of it, and your gambling may even be a problem. Make sure gambling isn't your only pastime.
• Don't take your bank card with you
• This is a good way to safeguard your money limit and not let being "in the moment" warp your judgment.
• Take frequent breaks
• Gambling continuously can cause you to lose track of time and perspective. Step out for some air or a bite to eat at regular intervals.
• Don't drink or use drugs when gambling Drugs and alcohol cloud judgment, and good judgment stands as your main line of defence against letting gambling get out of control.

(Information adapted from BeGambleAware)

BeGambleAware offer free, confidential help and support to anyone who’s worried about their – or someone else’s – gambling.

Citizensadvice

Bet No More UK UK Charity helping people take back control of their life from gambling.

Gamcare Tel 0808 802 0133 National Gambling Helpline. Gamcare provide support, information and advice to anyone suffering through a gambling problem.

Gamblers Anonymous – Tel 0330 094 0322

Gambling Commission regulate most types of gambling in Great Britain with a class="btn" view to making gambling safer.

National Gambling Helpline Tel - 0808 8020 133

Gambling Therapy - Practical advice and support for problem gambling

Moneyhelper provides free and impartial money advice Tel 0800 011 3797

NHS – Help for Problem gambling