Gambling Addiction in the UK: Signs, Support & How to Overcome It

Gambling should be fun and may bring a little extra spice to watching sports. However, there is no escaping the truth that it can be addictive. In this article, we explain what gambling addiction is. Moreover, we explain how it can be avoided, what signs concerned friends, relatives, or even gamblers themselves should be aware of, and also what support is available.

What is Gambling Addiction?

Gambling addiction can manifest itself in a range of ways. Indeed, in the same way that an addiction like alcoholism can present in diverse ways in different people, so too can gambling addiction. While there is no fixed definition of problem gambling, there is one we can use for gambling addiction.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) produces the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Generally speaking, this is accepted globally as a diagnostic guide. Since the fifth edition of the guide, Gambling Disorder (GD) has been recognised under a new category of behavioural addictions.

The APA describe GD as “a pattern of repeated and ongoing betting and wagering that continues despite creating multiple problems in several areas of an individual’s life”. They also note that those with GD “have trouble controlling gambling”.

Interestingly, the definition includes “multiple problems in several areas of an individual’s life”. Indeed, gambling addiction can affect people financially, psychologically and even physically. In addition, it can affect relationships, jobs, and hobbies.

A rich person may feel they are not addicted because they can afford the losses. However, if they are neglecting their family and making themselves depressed, most would agree that this is an example of problem gambling. On the other hand, a punter with a cheery disposition may remain relatively content, but if they are gambling so much that they cannot afford their rent, it is obviously problematic.

Is Gambling Addiction a Mental Health Disorder?

Due to its inclusion in the APA’s diagnostic manual, gambling addiction can be seen as a mental health disorder. Previously referred to as pathological gambling, it now exists in the “Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders” section of the DSM.

Moreover, due to its close links to suicide, it seems only right that it is viewed as a mental health issue. Indeed, the APA reports that “one in two gamblers will think about suicide and one in five gamblers will attempt suicide.” Additionally, they state that GD is more closely linked to suicide than “any other substance use or addictive disorder”.

Gambling, in particular when it becomes addictive, can alter a person’s brain chemistry. Reward and excitement pathways change, and fixing this can require the use of a range of mental health tools, including different types of therapy.

Signs and Symptoms of Problem Gambling

There are many indicators of problem gambling. Various medical, psychiatric and addiction specialists have their own lists, but all tend to feature many of the same signs. These gambling addiction symptoms include the following:

• Chasing losses
• Needing to gamble larger amounts to create the same thrill
• Excessive thoughts about gambling
• Feelings of guilt or shame
• Feeling stress, anxiety or worry due to your betting
• Lying about your activities
• Sold your belongings to fund bets, or stole or borrowed money
• Missing out on opportunities or experiences (in work, relationships or life generally)
• Gambling in response to negative emotions
• Having tried (and been unable) to control or stop gambling

Causes and Risk Factors of Gambling Addiction

We don’t know what causes, per se, any addictions. However, there are certainly risk factors. These can make people more susceptible to gambling addiction. Likewise, certain things can help trigger, or “cause” issues to develop. These include:

• Genetic disposition – some people, for reasons that we are not clear about, are more prone to addiction in general and perhaps gambling addiction specifically. A family history of gambling addiction (or substance abuse) is likely to be a risk factor.
• Impulsivity – possibly linked to the above, but those who are prone to be impulsive may be at a higher risk of gambling addiction. The same applies to those who struggle to delay gratification.
• General neurological factors – this may also be linked to the two points above. Nonetheless, chemical imbalances in the brain relating to neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, can make people more susceptible to gambling addiction. Similarly, dysfunction in the brain reward system can do likewise.
• Mental health problems – depression and many other mental health issues, particularly ADHD, are linked to problem gambling.
• Trauma – gambling may be a response or coping mechanism to deal with past traumas, be they physical or psychological. PTSD and gambling addiction are frequently comorbid. However, this can also include a wider definition of trauma. For example, major life events such as divorce, serious illness or bereavement may trigger problem gambling in some.
• Low self-esteem – those with low self-worth or low self-esteem may seek to use gambling for escape or validation.
• Cultural and experiential factors – those who grow up around gambling and see it as normal are more likely to gamble in the first place. Equally, peer pressure can be a factor.
• Financial factors – many people can sink into gambling addiction due to a range of financial issues. The loss of a job, general financial difficulties, or accumulation of debt may lead people to believe that gambling is a solution. On the other hand, suddenly coming into money may put people at greater risk.

What are the Consequences of Gambling Addiction?

The consequences of gambling addiction are many and varied. As mentioned above, that can include the tragedy of suicide. Gambling addiction statistics can be difficult to untangle, but there are various credible sources linking the issue to hundreds of suicides per year in the UK. Moreover, there are many other risks too:

• Mental health issues – while depression and mental health issues may cause gambling addiction, the same is true the other way round. It is a bidirectional relationship, where gambling addiction often leads to spiralling mental health issues. Obviously, suicide is the ultimate example of this. However, lesser issues can include anxiety, low self-esteem, guilt and sleep problems.
• Physical health – the stress and anxiety of gambling addiction can manifest physically, too. It may exacerbate any range of issues. More obviously, serious addicts spend so much time gambling that hobbies and exercise become secondary.
• Breakdown of relationships – for a range of reasons, gambling addiction can lead to a breakdown of relationships. This can mean losing your partner, children, friends, family or all of those things. Such relationships are built on trust and honesty. Therefore, they can rarely survive the duplicity that gambling addiction leads to. 
• Financial issues – gambling addiction is characterised by losing more than one can afford. Therefore, it typically leads to debt and other financial issues. Moreover, it often leads to sufferers losing their jobs. Obviously, this makes money problems much worse.
• Criminality – the three factors mentioned above make a gambling addict more likely to commit a crime. A problem gambler may steal to fund their betting. Alternatively, they may commit fraud. Moreover, struggles dealing with addiction can even lead to more serious, violent crimes.

Self-help Strategies for Managing Gambling Urges

Being aware of the gambling addiction symptoms and possible consequences might encourage those who need it to get gambling addiction help. However, many prefer, at least initially, to try to handle the matter themselves. We encourage anyone who is struggling to seek help. That said, the following self-help strategies may be enough for some bettors.

• Set financial limits – decide how much you want to bet each month and stick firmly to that limit.
• Use responsible gambling tools – bookmakers offer a range of responsible gambling tools. These can be very effective and allow you to manage your urge to bet. They can make sticking to your financial limits much easier. For example, using a strict deposit limit will give you at least 24 hours to cool off. Equally, a time-out can give you a break from gambling.
• Use blockers – if you have proved unable to control your gambling, then using blockers is advised. You may not need gambling addiction treatment. However, you may also have to quit gambling. Tools such as GAMSTOP make it easy to self-exclude from multiple sites.
• Be open – do not lie about your gambling. Additionally, speak to friends and family and explain the problem. Addiction is not something you need to be ashamed of. Sharing your struggles will make them easier to control.
• Avoid triggers – if you lose a lot of money when you are drunk, maybe you need to consider your drinking habits, too. Equally, if offers from bookies encourage you to gamble, unsubscribe from communications and alerts. Alternatively, if betting on live football is a trigger, turn your phone off and leave it in another room when you watch the game.

Helping a Friend or Family Member with Gambling Addiction

It is heartbreaking and distressing when a family or friend suffers from problem gambling. One might understand the meaning of gambling addiction and the signs to look out for. However, helping someone is far harder.

Because they are likely to feel guilt and shame about the issue, it can be difficult to approach the subject with them. We recommend you call a gambling addiction hotline and read up as much as possible on the subject. When you feel you have a reasonable understanding of the matter, broach the subject gently.

Being angry at the person with the issue is unlikely to help. Indeed, it may well force them into their shell. You want them to know you are there for them and want to help. Discussing the issue in a non-judgmental manner is key. Equally, it is vital you do not accuse them of anything.

Helping with any addiction is difficult because it is true that they can only really get help when they themselves want to. Moreover, they can only quit when they really want to – you cannot do it for them.

Encouraging them to try to use the available responsible gambling tools is a good starting point. Hopefully, they can use tools such as deposit limits to control their gambling. Moreover, if they understand their own triggers, you may be able to help them devise strategies to avoid them.

However, in more serious cases, helping them set up a block through GAMCARE may be necessary. In extreme cases, further blocks may be required that also cover non-licensed sites. These can be applied via their bank, or via their mobile or other device.

Many of the gambling addiction help services and treatment groups have information specifically for friends and families of those with the addiction. You can find further specialist information on the matter here.

Treatment for Gambling Addiction in the UK

Treatment for gambling addiction comes in many forms. For example, Gamblers Anonymous uses its 12-step approach and group meetings. Other treatment options are more therapy-based. Indeed, most treatments use some form of therapy, with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) one of the most common treatments. However, group therapy, family therapy, psychodynamic therapy and a range of other techniques are also used.

People respond differently to varying approaches. Only around 10% of people make it as far as seeking help, so this first step is vital. You may find that the first approach you try isn’t for you. But if that is the case, do not give up, or think you cannot be helped. Instead, try one of the other gambling addiction treatment options.

Generally, fixing other underlying issues can help too. Counselling may help you uncover what is really underpinning your gambling problem. Treatment for depression, for example, or for PTSD, may help you overcome your gambling disorder.

Where to Find Gambling Addiction Support in the UK?

Thankfully, there are many different organisations and charities that can help. Your GP can be a good place to start. Alternatively, you may feel more comfortable contacting the National Gambling Helpline. This is free and available 24/7. It is run by GamCare and can help with a whole range of gambling-related issues.

For issues that have come about due to your gambling, the Citizens Advice Bureau is an excellent option. They can explain about consumer rights, financial issues, housing and more.

Organisations & Support Portals

These are just some of the great organisations and charities that can help with a gambling disorder:

• UKGC Safer Gambling Portal – the UK Gambling Commission licenses and regulates all UK betting sites. Their Safer Gambling hub offers visitors a range of advice, info and help.
• GamCare – founded in 1997, they are the “leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms”. They operate the National Gambling Helpline. However, they also offer free contact via WhatsApp and other means. All support is 24/7, and they also host an excellent forum.
• Responsible Gambling Council – this Canadian body is an independent, non-profit organisation. They work globally to support responsible gambling.
• GambleAware – this is a UK charity that uses an evidence-based approach to prevent problem gambling. They provide education and treatment, and also offer live chat and telephone support 24/7.
• Gamblers Anonymous – GA use the 12-step programme to help sufferers overcome gambling addiction. They host in-person meetings and promote total abstinence. 
• Gordon Moody – this charity was founded in 1971 and is named after the reverend who brought GA to the UK. They focus on treatment and offer residential centres.
• NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic – this is a free service that focuses on treating those aged 13 to 18. Adults (18+) who live in Greater London can also use the service. They offer full, tailored treatment and support.

Gambling Blocking Tools

As well as seeking outside help, a great first step is to limit access to gambling opportunities. There are many ways to do this, many of which are free.

• GAMSTOP – this tool lets gamblers opt to self-exclude from all UK-licensed betting sites. One registration covers all legal UK sites. Since 2018, over half a million people have used GAMSTOP.
• betblocker – a free tool that blocks all gambling URLs. Betblocker checks and updates the list of URLs regularly. You can block access for anything from one day to five years.
• Net Nanny – this is a paid-for tool that works in a similar way to betblocker. Like that tool, it is applied to devices, rather than individuals. Net Nanny is an all-purpose parental control.
• Gamban – another paid-for tool that is gambling-specific. As well as blocking a device’s access to betting sites, Gamban offer advice and other tools.
• Bank controls – most major banks and many smaller challenger ones offer the facility to block betting transactions. The bank applies the block to your card/account.
• Multi Operator Self Exclusion Scheme – MOSES is different in that it helps if your issue lies in brick-and-mortar betting shops. It allows you to self-exclude from betting shops in your local area for 12 months.

UK Gambling Addiction Statistics and Trends

Gambling is big business in the UK. By and large, it has been growing for a long time. Mobile betting has only made gambling easier, more convenient and more accessible. Whilst this is great for many recreational punters it has made problem gambling more of an issue.

Gambling addiction stats are hard to compile. Various groups, studies, and websites have produced different figures for how many people are affected. However, what we can be sure of is that only a small percentage of people who gamble suffer from a disorder. The bad news is that even a small percentage means that hundreds of thousands of people are affected.

Who’s Done the Research?

At different times, the UKGC, NHS, government, and independent pollsters such as YouGov have all carried out research into gambling addiction. Obviously, numbers vary over time. Moreover, there is no fixed definition of what constitutes problem gambling. Equally, “gambling addiction” is not easy to quantify.

Generally, most of these reports give similar numbers in terms of both gambling addiction stats and trends. In terms of the latter, numbers are stable. In terms of the former, the various studies suggest around 0.5% of the population may be at the highest level of risk. Those at lower risk of problem gambling may be more like 2.5%. However, some research suggests a higher figure, more like 5%.

In terms of hard numbers, experts think that between 100,000 and 200,000 people in the UK may be problem gamblers. However, well over 1m may be at risk of slipping into that category. Moreover, there have been some very recent stats that indicate the issue is increasing. In December 2024 NHS England reported a 130% increase in referrals to gambling clinics. However, we should note that the numbers involved are low in absolute terms. It was an increase from just over 800 to almost 2,000.

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