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Taking a gamble

Thoughtful Talk confidentially to Samaritans any time of the day or night.

Whatever you're going through, whether it's big or small, don't bottle it up. We are here for you if you're worried about something, feel upset or confused, or just want to talk to someone.

Recent figures show that gambling in the UK is on the rise, but for many the occasional "flutter" can turn into a full blown addiction with serious consequences.

Growth of gambling

The most recent figures on remote gambling, published by the Gambling Commission in January this year, show that over the past year almost one in ten adults (9.7 per cent) participated in remote gambling in the previous month – whether gambling through a computer, mobile phone, digital TV or taking part in the National Lottery.

This shows an increase on previous years with 8.8 per cent of adults having recently gambled in 2007 and 7.2 per cent in 2006. In stark contrast, the 1999 Gambling Prevalence Survey put the figure at no more than one per cent, according to industry watchdog, the Gambling Commission.

"It's difficult to say what the next developments in the industry will be, though clearly participation in remote gambling continues to steadily grow," John Travers, corporate affairs manager at the Gambling Commission, said on the future of the industry.

He added that while the Gambling Commission are "supportive of new innovations by the gambling industry" they have "always made it clear to licensed operators that they must build in the appropriate social responsibility measures."

When gambling becomes a problem

'Problem gambling' - defined by the Commission as "gambling to a degree that compromises, disrupts or damages family, personal or recreational pursuits" - has been found to be more prevalent among men than women and tends to be among younger age groups, their 2007 report on the prevalence of gambling found.

Spread betting – where participants gamble on the movement of shares, commodities or stock market indices - had the highest incidence of problem gambling.

A high profile case of gambling addiction reported by the BBC last year involved 28 year-old Graham Calvert who tried to sue William Hill for more than two million pounds - money he says he lost gambling after he had asked the bookmaker not to let him bet again. William Hill eventually won when it came to court, but the case brought to light the issue of responsibility.

The impact of gambling addiction

Mr Calvert's case is an example of a massive financial loss, yet even at a far lesser level, problem gambling can have "devastating repercussions" on a person's life says GamCare, the gambling addiction charity.

This can mean the breakdown of relationships, damage to physical, mental and emotional health as well as substantial financial loss and debt. For others it may also involve loss of a job, the resort to illegal and criminal activity, the occasional or frequent misuse of alcohol and drugs and even attempted suicide.

Inevitably, the increase in gambling has seen an increase in problems relating to gambling, the most recent figures from GamCare show. Nearly 38,000 people called the charity's gambling addiction helpline in 2007 compared with just over 30,000 in the previous year.

In addition, the average amount of debt soared from £13,800 to £17,500, up nearly £4,000 in 12 months. Seven per cent of callers admitted to owing more than £100,000, their 2007 Care Services Report revealed.

Following the release of figures obtained by the Conservatives in December on the level of gambling debt, the Tory party culture spokesperson, Jeremy Hunt, condemned the government for turning a "blind eye", to the issue of problem gambling, as reported by the Daily Mail.

In an interview with the paper, he said: "It is deeply concerning – especially at a time when people are struggling to cope with the economic downturn – that vulnerable people are downing in huge gambling debts". He urged the government to "take gambling addiction seriously".

However, in January, sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe unveiled plans to introduce a statutory levy on the gambling industry to fund the research, education and treatment of problem gambling.

On announcement of the proposals, Mr Sutcliffe defended the government, saying: "We have put the protection of vulnerable people at the heart of the Gambling Act and that remains our priority. We must ensure that organisations working to prevent and treat problem gambling are given the financial security they need to carry out the important work they do."

Help for addicts

In recognition of the growing issue of gambling addiction, the first NHS clinic was opened in November last year to treat problem gamblers. With a team of psychiatrists, psychologists, family therapists and a debt management specialist, the treatment centre offers psychiatric assessment, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a debt management package, family interventions and employment support and advice.

The clinic's lead consultant psychiatrist, Dr Henrietta Bowden-Jones, spoke of the necessity of the wide-ranging treatment package to address problems specific to gamblers in an interview with the Daily Telegraph. She said: "Due to the nature of their addiction, gamblers' finances are often in bad shape so an important part of treatment is to tackle debt management and employment issues.

"We also address the needs of clients' partners and family members who have been affected by their gambling disorder and any coexisting mental health conditions such as depression," Dr Bowden-Jones commented.

Such help is evidently necessary for those who find it difficult to reign in their gambling habits. Gamcare record that problems with anxiety and stress were disclosed by over 60 per cent of callers to the gambling addiction helpline, with one fifth admitting to mental health problems.

Health experts, such as the Royal College of Psychiatrists, advise to seek help with problem gambling as soon as possible before problems spiral out of control.

Gamcare can be contacted in a number of ways. These include an online talk service that is available via its website - http://www.gamcare.org.uk/ - or via phone on 0845 6000 133. This helpline is available seven days a week between 08:00 GMT and midnight.

Both these services provide support, information and advice.

Gambling Anonymous also offers information and support to those affected by gambling across the regions. Its contact numbers are London 020 7384 3040, Manchester 0161 976 5000, Sheffield 0114 262 0026, Birmingham 0121 233 1335 and Ulster on 0287 135 1329.

Samaritans trained volunteers are there to offer confidential, non-judgemental emotional support to anyone experiencing distress, you can contact them via phone on by phone on 08457 909090 (GB), or 1850 609090 (ROI), email at jo@samaritans.org or face to face, visit http://www.samaritans.org/ to find your nearest branch.