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Gambling Addiction

Seven in ten adults gamble each year, helping to sustain a £9bn industry. Research has shown that there are 300,000 problem gamblers, where their addiction has an impact on their physical and mental health, employment, finances and relationships.

Key Gambling Facts

        • Popular gambling activities in our society are: National Lottery and
          scratch cards,  football pools, fruit/slot machines, bingo, betting on
          horse/dog racing, gambling in casinos, betting on sports events, private
          card games & raffles. Increasingly, opportunities to gamble are
          becoming available through new technology, e.g. Internet, WAP phones
          &  Interactive Television.
        • The estimated annual turnover of gambling activities in the UK is about
          £53 billion, according to 2005 figures from the National Audit Office.
        • Tax calculations suggest that 78% of the British population gambled at
          some point during 2005.
        • Fruit machines remain the most popular form of underage gambling for
          under 16s with over half of young people (54%) saying they have ever
         played on them and 49% in the past year.
        • A 2006 report predicted that the number of online gamblers in the UK
         will grow from 1.1m to 2.1m over the next four years.
        • Research shows that by the time most compulsive gamblers seek help,
          they are hugely in debt and their family life is a shambles.
          About 80% seriously consider suicide, and up to 20% attempt or
          succeed in killing themselves.
        • There are 40 million online gamblers around the world. That number is
          predicted to quadruple by 2020.
 
Clearly gambling addiction is a significant area of concern in UK society.  Unfortunately, help is often not sought until an individual has reached 'rock bottom'. Below are links to sites where gambling addiction information and help can be found.
 
Help and Support:-
Gamblers Anonymous
A fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their gambling problem and help others to do the same.
Tel: 08700 50 88 80
Tel: 08700 50 88 81 (Scotland)
Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
 
Gamcare
National Association for Gambling Care. The national centre for information, advice and practical help relating to the social impact of gambling.
Tel: 0845 6000 133
Website: http://www.gamcare.org.uk
 
Gambling Therapy
An advice e-helpline for problem gambling run by the Gordon House Association. If you've got a problem with gambling, or are worried about someone with a gambling problem you can speak live to advisors/counsellors.
Website: www.gamblingtherapy.org