How charities are tackling gambling addiction

According to latest government figures, gambling is considered to be ‘at risk level’ for just under 4% of the UK population, and it is estimated that 0.5% have a problem with gambling.

This has a devastating impact on addicts’ finances, relationships, and mental health, as well on the lives of those around them. The government estimates that 7% of people are negatively affected by other people’s gambling.

There are a raft of charities looking to support gambling addicts and those impacted by gambling as well as raise awareness of the problems around betting.

Here we look at some of their work. 

Cost-of-living fears

Among charities working to support gambling addicts is GamCare, which has found that the cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated gambling problems across the UK.

It found that gamblers are looking for big winnings to pay bills. In addition, they are using betting shops to stay warm.

Based on a survey of 4,202 adults, GamCare found that four in ten addicts believe that gambling will help improve their financial situation over the next year, compared to only 7% of the wider UK adult population.

Meanwhile, one in six gambling addicts had visited betting shops to avoid escalating energy costs at home. This is three times as many as the 5% of the UK population using public spaces to keep warm.

Clearly, the cost-of-living crisis is having a negative impact on gamblers, GamCare is warning.

“What we are still seeing is a proportion of those who are hit the hardest by the cost-of-living crisis being the ones looking towards gambling to ease their money worries,” said GamCare Chief Executive Anna Hemmings.

To help GamCare rolled out its Money Guidance Service UK wide. This works with people impacted financially by gambling “to help them get back on track” and follows a pilot in Leeds and the East Midlands earlier in 2023.

Through the service people with gambling problems are offered money guidance, advice on spending habits, budget management and support to help people recognise triggers to their problem.

GamCare also runs the free National Gambling Helpline to give confidential information, advice, and support to those affected by gambling harms.

Online risks

Lobbying by charities around gambling is particularly important as in 2023 the government published its white paper on gambling, which aims to consider the rise in online betting.  

As of December 2022, almost a fifth (18.6%) of UK adults had gambled online over the previous four weeks, compared to 14.4% in December 2018.

Proposals include a consultation on putting in place a stake limit of between £2 and £15 for online slot machines. This also includes consulting on whether to bring in a £2 or £4 stake limit for young gamblers, aged between 18 and 24.

Also being looked at is digital tools that limit deposits, to help people gamble within their means. The government says that the industry regulatory the Gambling Commission will explore whether these tools should be mandatory.

“The evidence suggests that particular elements and products of online gambling are associated with an elevated risk of harm,” states the white paper.

“Equally, technological development has presented new opportunities to protect players. Making the most of these is central to ensuring our framework is fit for the digital age.”

Other online measures raised in the white paper include exploring links between the gambling industry and financial services firms to enable blocks on betting be extended to online payment methods, such as bank transfers.

Gambling charities involved in lobbying have delivered a mixed verdict on the proposed legislation, indicating further attempts to influence politicians and the public can be expected in the coming years.

GambleAware Chief Executive Zoë Osmond said that the proposals, particularly “in the online space” are “a welcome step in the right direction for the prevention of gambling harms”.

However, she describes “the lack of greater regulation on gambling advertising and marketing” as a “missed opportunity” and would like to see measures limiting 11- to 17-year-olds’ exposure to gambling marketing on social media. The charity’s research found that 45% of this age group see such marketing.

Meanwhile, BetKnowMore describes the measures as “long awaited” but added that it will “ramp up efforts of amplifying awareness across various stakeholders through the voice of lived experience to supplement the future legislation laid out by government”.

Gambling warning signs

Among other charities supporting addicts and tackling gambling harm is debt charity StepChange. It points out that gambling and debt problems can create a vicious cycle where both problems get worse.

On its website, StepChange has a useful guide to the warning signs to watch out for gambling harm. These include:

• Using an overdraft or borrowing to pay for gambling
• Missing bill payments
• Gambling to pay off debts
• Spending more than is affordable on betting
• Lying to people close about money and gambling
• Losing interest in usual activities
• Always thinking about the next bet
• Feeling anxious, worried, guilty, depressed, or irritable