Problem gambling is defined as gambling that is disruptive or damaging to you or your family, or interferes with your daily life.Most people in the UK gambled or played the lottery in the last year- activities like playing the lottery once or twice a week aren’t harmful. However, for around 9 in 1000 people, gambling becomes a problem or an addiction.

Signs of problem gambling

According to a 2017 report by the Daily Record, Scotland is the gambling capital of the UK. Over two-thirds of adults place at least one bet each year. At the time of the research, 68% of Scots had placed a wager within the past 12 months. Meanwhile, just 52% of London residents had gambled in that time. There is a very fine line between problem gambling or Scotland gambling addiction and gambling too much. The critical sign of problem gambling is often hidden from awareness, with denial. About Gamblers Anonymous Scotland GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling. There are now plans to open 14 more problem gambling clinics by 2023-24. Gambling in numbers. £14.4bn was collectively lost by UK gamblers in year to March 2019.

If you think you might have a gambling problem, help is available.

To start, answer these 10 questions with ‘yes’ or ‘no’:

Do you spend a lot of time thinking about gambling?
Are you spending more money on gambling as time goes on?
Have you ever tried to stop gambling, or cut down on or control your gambling, and not been able to?
Do you get restless or irritable if you try to cut down on gambling?
Do you gamble to escape from difficulties in your life, or to cheer yourself up?
Do you keep playing after losing money to try to win it back – often called ‘chasing losses’?
Have you lied to other people about how much time or money you’ve spent gambling, or how much you’ve lost?
Have you ever stolen money to fund gambling?
Has gambling affected your job, relationships, or home life?
Do you ask other people to lend you money when you’ve lost money through gambling?

If you’ve answered yes:

To 1 question – you might have a problem, and it would be a good idea to seek help.
To 3 questions – gambling probably feels like it’s a problem, and you should seek help.
To 5 or more questions – it’s likely gambling feels like it’s affecting every part of your life. You should get help as soon as possible.

Effects of problem gambling

While problem gambling itself doesn’t have physical symptoms, the negative effects can appear in many areas of life. These include:

reduced quality of life – having less money or free time
problems with your social life – avoiding seeing friends or going out
physical illnesses caused by spending more time gambling and less time being active, as well as potentially drinking more alcohol
financial problems – running up debts, and not having enough money for essentials
relationship problems and conflict at home – this can include arguments with family and friends, or conflict with your partner about financial difficulties
criminal activity – problem gambling doesn’t make you a criminal, but some people find themselves committing crimes to fund their gambling habit
unemployment or difficulties at work – if you gamble at work, or miss work due to gambling, it can lead to issues at work and potentially unemployment

Even if you haven’t experienced any of these issues yet, if your gambling is becoming a problem it’s possible these negative effects will happen in the future. It’s important to be mindful of the impact gambling could have on you or your family.

How problem gambling happens

Some people seem to be more likely to develop a gambling problem than others.

Men tend to be more vulnerable to developing a gambling problem than women, likely becausewomen usually gamble less than men.

While a gambling problem can start at any age, people who start as teenagers or young adults can grow into problem gamblers. Children as young as 7 can struggle to control how much time they spend playing video and mobile games, many of which ask for micro-transactions and payments. Older people who feel isolated or bored can also be attracted to gambling.

People who work in casinos, betting shops or arcades can be more likely to develop a gambling habit.

Certain types of gambling can be more likely to lead to a problem than others:

mobile or internet gambling – like betting or bingo websites and apps
video poker
roulette
dice games
the stock market
playing sports for money

Engaging in these activities doesn't mean you have a problem with gambling, but it’s important to be aware that these types of gambling are particularly addictive.

Things that could make problem gambling more likely

There are some factors that can make a person more vulnerable to developing a gambling problem. These include:

Gambling Problem Scotland Vs

having a mental health condition
having an alcohol or drug problem
being in prison
having a family member, particularly a parent, with a gambling addiction
a gambling habit that started early – some people start gambling as young as 7 or 8
having trouble controlling your gambling from the first time you did it, even if you don’t actually gamble very often

This doesn’t mean that everyone in these circumstances will develop a problem, but it’s important to be aware of the risk if gambling is something you do.

Self-help for problem gambling

If you feel your gambling has become a problem, there are steps you can take right away to start improving your situation.

1. Limit how much money you can spend gambling

Pay all your essential bills, like rent/mortgage, utilities, council tax, food, and childcare costs, as soon as you get paid.
Set yourself a weekly limit on how much you’re willing to spend on gambling, and be sure to stick to it.
If you go out to gamble, leave your debit and credit cards at home and only take cash, so you can’t spend more than planned.
On gambling websites and apps, set a limit on your account so you can’t overspend.
Talk to your bank about blocking certain websites or locations, like betting websites or casinos.
UseGAMSTOPto block yourself from accessing online gambling sites and gambling apps. GAMSTOP doesn’t cover every site or app operating in the UK, but you can contact ones you use that aren’t signed up to this scheme and ask them to block you.

2. Reduce the time you spend gambling

Set a limit on how often you gamble in a week. Be specific and name the days – for example: “I will only gamble on Tuesdays and Fridays.”
Resist the temptation to open up gambling sites or apps for a ‘quick go’ or just to make one bet – it’s likely that you’ll find it hard to stick to just one.
Set alarms or alerts on your phone, watch, or computer to remind you when it’s time to close the site or app and stop gambling for the day.

3. Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money

Remind yourself frequently that gambling isn’t a way to make money – you’re paying for entertainment. It’s not an investment, and you’re not earning money by gambling.
When you gamble, always prepare yourself to lose. Remind yourself that winning is by chance, and not something that happens more often than losing.
Never spend money from savings or investments on gambling.
Tell your friends and family not to lend you money if you ask.

4. Fill up your time with other things

Spend more time with friends and family.
Spend less time with people you know who gamble, or people you usually gamble with.
Join clubs or social groups that don’t involve gambling – this could be a good time to take up a new hobby, or restart one you haven’t done for a while.
Talk to friends and family about your situation and your concerns, rather than ‘bottling up’ your feelings.

For more self-help advice and tools, you can access resources on the GamCare website.

Getting help with problem gambling

There are a lot of ways to access help with problem gambling. There's also support available if you have a loved one with a gambling problem.

Gamblers Anonymous Scotland has meetings every day, and is free to attend. The meetings are informal and friendly, and there are currently around 70 meetings held in Scotland every day. Gamblers Anonymous also has a 24-hour helpline you can phone on 0370 050 8881.

If you have a loved one with a gambling problem, support is available from Gam-Anon Scotland. The organisation has supportive, confidential meetings that are separate from Gamblers Anonymous meetings. You can also phone the Gam-Anon 24-hour helpline on 0370 050 8881.

GamCare provides information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. It operates the National Gambling Helpline, and provides treatment for problem gamblers and their families. You can phone the National Gambling Helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 0808 8020 133.

If you’re looking for ways to stop yourself from gambling, GAMSTOP allows you to block your access to certain gambling websites and apps.

For advice on gambling as safely as possible, or help reporting a gambling business that’s breaking the law,visit the Gambling Commission website.

If you’re looking for help educating a young person about gambling, or need educational materials for a class or youth group, the Fast Forward Gambling Education Hub has a number of useful resources.

You can also visit your local primary care team for support and information about resources in your local area. Visit Scotland’s Service Directory for information on services near you.

For other help and support, use Scotland's Service Directory to find counselling, mental wellbeing, and money advice services in your area.

If you’re struggling with the impact gambling is having on your life, or the life of a loved one, phoneBreathing Spaceon 0800 83 85 87 for support and counselling. Breathing Space is open:

Weekdays: Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am
Weekends: Friday 6pm to Monday 6am

When the fun stops. Stop. But what happens when you just can’t stop?

For many people in Scotland, the lure of gamble now, pay later has left many of them with an unfortunately high amount of gambling debts acquired by use of credit card facilities.

Gambling Problem Scotland Map

Trust Deed Scotland welcomes the latest initiative from the Gambling Commission aimed at curbing gambling debts in Scotland. As reported by the BBC, credit cards are to be banned as a payment method for online gambling and bookies shops.

Amanda Hendry of Trust Deed Scotland, the leading provider of qualified debt advice in Scotland said “We see this new measure as a welcome addition in the fight to reducing gambling debts in Scotland.

Over the last decade, we’ve spoken to thousands of people who have developed significant personal debt issues due to their excessive gambling problems further developing credit card debts.

However, while this is of course a welcome initiative, we feel there could be more done to help educate the public on the dangers of developing gambling debts and furthermore supporting gambling addictions in their infancy before they eventually develop into a gambling debt.”

The BBC reports that a total number of twenty-four million adults in in the UK gamble, with a figure of 10.5m doing so online. 22% of online gamblers using credit cards to fund their flutters are classed as problem gamblers. A string of online gambling retailers such as Paddy Power (Betfair), Bet365 and 888 Holdings have swollen an industry typically dominated by the traditional high street bookmakers such as Ladbrokes Coral, William Hill and Betfred.

Speaking to the BBC, Neil McArthur commented “credit card gambling can lead to significant financial harm. The ban that we have announced today should minimise the risks of harm to consumers from gambling with money they do not have”

Information gained from the Gambling Commission highlighted that several individuals in Scotland responded to their survey and were subsequently identified as having a gambling problem. The Gambling Commission found that there was a wider pool of respondents with a determined low risk of developing gambling debts in Scotland.

Fortunately, due to the support from the Gambling Commission, there was a recorded decline in the number of individuals in the same survey from the previous year, with this latest initiative; this can only help to reduce that figure further.

Gambling Debts In Scotland – Get Help Now

The first, most obvious step is to completely stop your gambling.

GamCare – Gamcare offers support and information for partners, friends and family of people who gamble compulsively.

Gamblers Anonymous Scotland – Local support groups for anyone in Scotland affected by their own, or someone else’s gambling problem – find your nearest group there.

No debt solution is offered with an allowance for continued gambling. If you are continuing to gamble, you’ll struggle to keep up with your agreed payment towards your debt solution. You will likely struggle to pay important priority debts, and your creditors are unlikely to accept gambling as a valid outgoing. A failed debt solution is a bad outcome for everyone, not only for you; your creditor too.

Getting Debt Advice On Your Gambling Debts In Scotland

Gambling Problem Scotland Wikipedia

Even if you have gambled recently, get debt advice now. Trust Deed Scotland have helped many people with gambling debts. You won’t be judged by our qualified advisors and any conversation you have is confidential.

Gambling Problem Scotland News

Fortunately, unlike a roulette wheel or puggy machine, our Trust Deed Debt Calculator helps you to find out if you qualify based on factual information and isn’t determined by the luck of the draw.

Call us today on 0141 221 0999 or try our calculator as your first step to becoming debt free.