Gambling is a deeply rooted part of British culture, with bookmakers supplying odds on everything from Coronation Street killers to Premier League champions. Punters are not starved for choices and can bet on almost any sporting event globally – and if that’s not enough, bookmakers also provide virtual sport options for betting.
While the majority view gambling as an exciting way to intensify their favourite sports, problem gambling is a serious issue that requires urgent attention and education. Public awareness needs to be increased to highlight the risks involved, dispel misconceptions and provide vulnerable users with the tools and resources required to prevent a gambling addiction.
In 2022, NHS England research found that only 5% of those who need treatment for gambling problems are coming forward and seeking help. GambleAware reports that currently 90% of gambling addiction treatment occurs outside of the NHS, with the pressure being placed onto charities due to insufficient investment and a lack of innovative approaches in addressing the issue.
The Gambling Commission revealed that the UK’s gambling problem is eight times higher than they previously thought and that 2.5% of the adult population may be struggling from problem gambling. Horrifically, GamblingWithLives report that 9.1% of the UK’s 18–24-year-olds who gamble, suffer or are at risk of problem gambling.
Despite the statistics that indicate the viscosity and prominence of the issue, public perception on the issue is nowhere near as strong in comparison to other addictions. Illustrating this was a 2023 ‘meme’ trend that swept the internet, which downplayed the addiction depicting the mantra ‘one bet away from winning it all back’.
Dr Joanne Lloyd is a lecturer in Cyberpsychology at the University of Wolverhampton and has extensive publications on gambling in the UK, leading major projects for prominent organisations such as Gamble Aware.
When asked about why she believes that public perception is so low, and those struggling continued to be ‘bashed on’, she stated: “This could be because it’s not been a recognised disorder for as long as other conditions, or because its harms tend to be less visible - as it doesn’t typically have the physical impact that other addictions have on a person’s behaviour/appearance etc.
“Misconceptions include the idea that people who experience gambling harms are weak willed, stupid, or greedy, but that’s not accurate. There are many factors that contribute to someone finding themselves struggling with gambling and putting it down to negative personal qualities is unhelpful and stigmatising.
“There is a common discourse that’s come to be widely accepted, including in the media, that gambling harms are something only a tiny proportion of people experience and that it, therefore, isn’t necessary to take them seriously or make too many changes to prevent them. I don’t agree with this, but it is an argument you’ll sometimes see used for why gambling harm prevention efforts are not more comprehensive.”
Football has become the most popular sport for UK punters to bet on, with 45% of active bettors placing bets on football with the Premier League and the Champions League being the two most popular. For many, placing an accumulator or a goal scorer bet has become part of the matchday routine, and for many young people is the catalyst that ignites a gambling problem.
As the world evolved into the technology era, the ability to gamble has never been easier and can be just a few taps away on your phone. Instead of the routine of getting ready and heading to your local betting shop, you can simply open the app and within minutes can spend hundreds of pounds.
Gambling companies have pounced on this, and frequently send out emails, texts and notifications to remind gamblers to bet on the ‘big next game’. Data supplied by the Gambling Commission showcased that 58% of bettors surveyed received a gambling incentive and that 41% received reminders to gamble with a bonus included. The survey also showcased that 10% received an incentive daily with the figures growing to 51% for at least once per week, and 84% for at least once per month.
In-play betting is not a new phenomenon, having first emerged in the late 1990s. However, its popularity is steadily growing, especially among young people, increasingly intertwining the relationship of spectating and gambling. Surveys revealed that 77% of bettors aged between 18-24 placed an in-play bet within the last four weeks, with the lowest demographic being those aged 65 and over (23%).
Dr Lloyd reflected on the current state of gambling, and the negativity on popular sports forming bonds with gambling.
She stated: “There’s a strong link between gambling and sports; obviously you have lots of sports betting opportunities and with in-play betting, gambling can become closely intertwined with spectating sport.
“In-play betting increases the potential for someone to spend more than they might have planned on sports betting, as it changes the ‘frequency’ of the gambling outcome. Instead of one bet on a 90-minute match, people can place bets frequently throughout.
“There’s a bit of research on how gambling and sports as leisure activities are particularly common amongst young males, and some people describe feeling peer pressure to gamble on sports in order to join in with their friends when watching sports together.”
The UK hosts the second largest gambling market in Europe, with gamblers spending approximately £14 billion each year. Currently the main legislation safeguarding gambling in the UK is the Gambling Act 2005. The act was recently reviewed, and a white paper was published in 2023 to modernise it and address issues relating to the evolution of the gambling market.
The proposed changes aim to enhance consumer protection, improve control over advertising and marketing and increase transparency in how gambling companies operate. Whilst this review may seem promising, the review is still at an early stage and there is no certainty that all necessary adjustments will be made. There has also been serious opposition with punters declaring it an unnecessary burden impeding on British culture.
Looking ahead to the future Dr Lloyd said: “Sometimes when you hear debates around gambling legislation and tighter regulation etc., you might have noticed people emphasising how gambling and sport are core parts of British heritage and culture, and this tends to get used as an argument for not taking stronger action to prevent gambling related harm.
“In the interests of balance, I’d also note that there are of course people who enjoy gambling and sport and find the activities pair well together for them.
“The problem, I think, is the dominant narrative that for most people it’s easy to gamble without risk of harm and that it’s a benign activity – for lots of people this isn’t the case, and it makes it harder for people who do have difficulties resulting from gambling to speak openly or seek support.”
Dr Lloyd’s experience in psychology dates back decades, with her focus on gambling starting in September 2010 when she published her first work on internet gambling. Since then, she has authored a wide range of topics and eventually became a university lecturer to educate the future generations. Reflecting on her journey and the challenges she has faced, I asked her how she believes the industry has evolved since she first began.
“I think there has been progress over the years. In particular, in recent years more research is focusing on understanding gambling from a public health perspective, i.e. recognising that it’s something that everyone is at risk of when inherently risky products are available.
“In other words, many researchers are now trying to identify how to protect the public from gambling harm, rather than trying to figure out what’s ‘wrong’ with people who do experience harm. This is a good thing in my mind as it will help destigmatise people who experience gambling harms. There’s still a long way to go, though, as there is still quite a bit of stigma around gambling harm and a lack of public awareness of the causes.”
Working on the frontlines of gambling addiction can be harsh, revealing the true darkness and severe consequences of problem gambling. My interview with Lois Kenny, a mental health nurse with years of experience helping those who suffer with problem gambling, opened my eyes to the hard reality of gambling.
Passionately she expressed her disappointment in the lack of compassion for problem gamblers, saying: “It’s so hard for them, I think the general consensus is that unlike drugs and alcohol, this is more of a choice addiction, and I can assure you it is not.
“It links to all avenues of mental health, someone who is suffering with depression, anxiety – all types – can have a brief moment of escape with the thrill and dopamine that comes with gambling. It’s almost an addiction to that rush that they get from it that keeps them going and it’s really sad that it isn’t taken as seriously.
“I’ve had people with families come in and share their struggles about how they can’t pay their rent, can’t pay for food. Do you think if they had a choice like people assume that they wouldn’t try to protect their families and kids? It’s very narrow minded and I really do believe that public education needs to be improved.”
When researching the topic in-depth, one explanation that truly resonated with me and highlighted the severity came from former Arsenal midfielder and Sky Sports pundit, Paul Merson.
When reflecting on his struggles with addiction throughout his life, he opened my eyes to the horrific nature of gambling addiction:
“I’ve been addicted to alcohol and cocaine, but the most destructive and only one I’m still struggling with is gambling. If I want to get drunk or high, I have to put something up my nose or down me. Gambling’s already in you, just waiting constantly, talking to you.” – Paul Merson.
Putting forward these quotes to Kenny, she expanded on the quote and how similar descriptions from patients have been to her: “The quotes definitely help visualise the struggles that they are experiencing. When speaking to [problem gamblers], they describe it as if there is a little demon almost inside them that is ushering them to gamble.
“It’s frequently described as that little devil on their shoulder, and because you can gamble almost anywhere and there’s no visual or noticeable side effects, they can get give in to it without anyone noticing.
“I think Merson’s explanation is great, and I don’t want to say any form of addiction is easier to get rid of but like in his quote there is way more knowledge and options for those with things like alcohol. Gambling there just isn’t, and I’m not fully convinced it’s still being taken seriously.”
Surveys commissioned by BETGAM and Ygam showcased the current landscape of gambling and British students, highlighting the causes and impacts of the gambling. Out of the 3000+ British students surveyed, 71% had gambled in the past 12 months with 28% being declared as ‘moderate risk’ and 24% had behaviour categorised as ‘problem gambling’.
Half of all surveyed students who gamble declared that gambling had impacted their university experience, with 13% having trouble paying for food, 10% missing lectures and 9% struggling to pay for bills and accommodation. Worryingly, out of the students who did not gamble, 25% said they knew someone whose university experience had been adversely affected by gambling.
The graphic below reveals the results of the survey, revealing the gambling behaviour risk that young people who do gamble show. The data displays that while 40% of students exhibit no signs of problem gambling, a concerning 21% have problem gambling tendencies. Notably, males consistently represent the highest percentage of those at risk and are also the most frequent bettors on sporting events.
When speaking to Kenny, she parallelled with the above statistics indicating how she has seen a rise in young people struggling with gambling problems and particularly males.
“There’s a lot of young lads mainly who I see, and a lot of the time they say they got into gambling through family and friends. Games such as Fifa too, they offer packs of virtual stickers which in my experience I have seen be a gateway into betting.
“This shows to me another reason why education should be improved on the topic, you wouldn’t give alcohol or drugs to a child, but you’d let them place a bet and get the rush and excitement from the events.
“I’m aware this isn’t as comparable, but I think it’s the acceptance and as you said previously and the culture of England. I’m not saying don’t let a kid put a bet on the Grand National, what I am saying is teach kids from a young age of why they may feel a euphoric rush and hopefully whether its parents, schools or the NHS we can stop the problems at the root of the cause.”
Ultimately, as the allure for betting grows substantially, it is important we take into consideration the opinion of those directly involved in the battle. Both interviews showcase the dire need for education on the topic, so we can continue to enjoy the beauty of our favourite sports.
If you, or anyone you know, is suffering from gambling-related harms – recovery is possible.
Applications for help can be made through gordonmoody.org.uk, you can also speak to an advisor by calling 01384 241292 or emailing: help@gordonmoody.org.uk
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