Gambling

Gambling is taking part in a game during which you risk money, or something of monetary value, in order to win

There are many forms of gambling, including lotteries and scratchcards, card games like poker and blackjack, betting on sports or events, playing casino games, gambling machines or bingo. Many people enjoy gambling, whether having a flutter on the Grand National or buying the odd scratchcard, or taking part in gambling on a more regular basis. Gambling is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be risky, so we need to keep ourselves informed and make safer choices.

Opportunity

Gambling is a popular activity enjoyed in one form or another by nearly three quarters of the UK population. Gambling is no longer confined to betting offices and bingo halls; you can buy a lottery ticket from the post office or the newsagents and play poker and bingo on the internet and your mobile phone. We now have the opportunity to gamble any time of the day or night every day of the year.

Most people gamble responsibly taking steps to minimise the risk of loss, and making considered decisions about how often to play, how much money and time to spend, and when to stop.

For some gamblers the risks can get out of hand and that’s when gambling becomes a problem. Sometimes, responsible gambling is making a decision not to gamble at all.

Hidden addiction

Problem gambling is often referred to as the ‘hidden addiction’ as there are few outward signs until it may be too late to prevent serious social, financial and emotional consequences. For some it’s the thrill or buzz that they get from gambling that becomes addictive and the excitement of being seen by others as a winner. For some it can be used as a means of escapism, a way of blotting out uncomfortable or difficult feelings about other areas of life.

Whatever the reason, when gambling gets out of hand there are likely to be a range of negative consequences including debts, repossessions of goods, loss of homes. Health implications such as stress, depression and sometimes self-harm. Partners and children can suffer too, as relationships start to breakdown.

Signs and symptoms

Problem gamblers typically deny or minimize the problem. They also go to great lengths to hide their gambling. For example, problem gamblers often withdraw from their loved ones, sneak around, and lie about where they’ve been and what they’ve been up to. Problem gamblers will gamble until they have spent their last penny in desperate attempts to recover losses already made. And problem gamblers will gamble even when there is no money available for gambling, using credit cards, overdrafts, borrowing from friends and family, selling possessions and sometimes even stealing to fund the habit.

Getting help

If you are concerned about your gambling:

Be honest – with yourself and others
Seek help -Talk to someone you trust
Take responsibility for your life
Be positive and optimistic about your ability to change.

If you want to help someone who has a problem with gambling:

Try to get the person to talk about the problem with someone they trust
Let them know you see it as a problem – even if they do not admit it
Leave the responsibility for the gambling and its effects with the person
Encourage the person to seek professional help
Remain encouraging and supportive.

The biggest step in treatment is realising you have a problem with gambling. It takes tremendous strength and courage to own up to this, especially if you have lost a lot of money and strained or broken relationships along the way. Don’t try to go it alone, overcoming a gambling problem is never easy. But recovery is possible if you stick with treatment and seek support.

Making changes

Counselling, cognitive therapy, peer-support and self-help can all be helpful in keeping gambling under control. If you have a problem or addiction it is probably best to seek professional help. Remember, your doctor may also be able to help.

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