A recent review found some 300,000 UK adults are problem gamblers, which affects another 3.8 million people, including children. The review found men are more likely to gamble than women, especially online, where 15% of men but only 4% of women gamble.
People often start gambling as a social activity with friends or family. Some are able to do this in a controlled manner but, for those who develop an addiction to gambling, they are no longer in control of their impulses and gambling becomes their primary focus. This can lead to them giving up on the things that would normally make them happy like exercise, spending time with family and friends and other general pastimes.
As a gambling addiction takes hold, the gambler can become withdrawn and isolated, shutting out those that are closest to them. They can stop paying bills and start taking out loans or borrowing from friends and family to fund their gambling. Some cut down on their food intake and, in extreme cases, go without food. This can have a detrimental effect to their family, as they may not be able to provide food or general necessities for them. In some people the addiction can drive them to steal from those close to them or commit criminal offences to fund their addiction. It can also lead to mood swings, with some becoming aggressive to those around them.
Mental health can be severely affected with gamblers feeling worthless, guilt, shame and, in some cases, suicidal as they cannot see a way out of their situation. For those who take their life, this can have a devastating effect on their loved ones.
What are the signs of a gambling addiction?
As an invisible addiction, issues with gambling can be very difficult to recognise, but some indicators are:
- Spending a lot of time gambling – this seems obvious, but if you notice someone is spending a lot of their time gambling this is likely to indicate a problem – whether this is on their phone or betting shops/casinos etc.
- Gambling with increased sums of money in order to get the same thrill as when they started gambling.
- Talking about gambling a lot and being preoccupied with gambling in general, especially if they are talking about big wins.
- Lack of interest in previous hobbies or interests – no longer getting the fulfilment from those hobbies or making excuses not to take part.
- Becoming withdrawn and isolated – spending less time with family, friends and work colleagues, sitting on their own at lunchtime, frequent visits to the toilet or needing breaks where they can check their phone during the working day.
- Being distracted and lacking concentration – a reduction in productivity at work.
- Constantly worrying about money and asking if they can borrow money from those around them, particularly where this is out of the norm for them.
- Using lies and excuses as to why they are not able to pay the money back.
- Changes in mood – has their behaviour changed. Do they seem worried or stressed, agitated or upset although there appears to be no reason for their change in mood.
If you think someone is struggling with their gambling, talk to them. They may deny there is a problem, but you may be the person who makes them think about their actions and recognise they do need help. There are lots of good support services available to both gamblers and those affected by gambling, such as an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
Employers could consider implementing as part of their financial wellbeing initiatives, awareness sessions on gambling addiction. If you have an Employee Assistance Programme, this should be promoted, as EAP’s such as CiC’s can offer invaluable emotional and practical support to those affected by gambling addiction. We also have a dedicated Managerial AdviceLine which can be a powerful tool to help managers learn how to approach employees they may be concerned are developing a gambling addiction.