Increase in Calls to National Gambling Helpline

The National Gambling Helpline has released new figures that show a dramatic increase in the number of problem gamblers who have called the helpline in 2017-18.

The number of callers numbered nearly 30,000, an increase of 30% on the 22,875 callers in 2013/14, with Anna Hemmings, CEO of the National Gambling Helpline stating that two-thirds of the calls received related to financial difficulties, while around half of callers had concerns about their mental health.

Gambling with Lives

An organisation made up of family members of those who have committed suicide due to gambling related harm, Gambling with Lives, spoke out following the release of the figures, saying more needs to be done.

Liz Ritchie, mother of Jack Ritchie, who took his own life after developing a gambling addiction from the age of 17, spoke of the risks, saying:

“Gambling on these fast-paced electronic machines, either in the bookies or online, is equivalent to a heroin addiction.

“You are addicted very suddenly and very early and we didn’t understand that.

“This is a serious addiction and we need a serious public health message.”

Effective

Mrs Hemmings spoke of the importance of the National Gambling Helpline, saying:

“We can work very effectively and in quite a short space of time… That will help reduce the impact on family and the impact of gambling-related harm more broadly.”

Tim Miller, Executive Director of the UK Gambling Commission, added to the conversation, saying:

“It is important that those struggling with gambling are able to access support when they need it.

“But a focus on preventing harm in the first place is equally important [and] that’s why we will continue to take actions to require gambling companies to spot those being harmed by gambling and step in to protect them.”