75% of people who experience gambling harm feel that they can't open up to loved ones, according to new data from GambleAware. The charity has warned that persistent stigma surrounding gambling harms is preventing the vast majority of those experiencing gambling problems from opening up.
According to the research, 1 in 4 of us think we know someone who has experienced problems with gambling with 60% of those people put off from talking about it due to concerns around stigma.
To encourage those experiencing gambling harms to start talking about their situation, GambleAware has launched a national public health campaign to challenge negative perceptions.
As part of the campaign, GambleAware has developed a short quiz and tools for anyone wanting advice or support. The quiz takes just a few minutes to complete and will give an insight into how gambling might be affecting you, or someone you care about. Once complete, you will be provided with a tailored response and information on where to get further support should you want it.
If you think you are spending too much time or money gambling, then there are a range of self-exclusion options available to you. If you would like to self-exclude from an arcade, betting shop, bingo venue or casino then ask staff and they will be able to provide information on how to self-exclude.
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If you want to self-exclude from online gambling, you can visit GAMSTOP which allows people to self-exclude from online gambling. All gambling providers in Britain must provide customers with an option to self-exclude.
These exclusions can be anywhere from six months up to five years. If you’re still unsure about how to self-exclude you can search GambleAware for more information, including how it works and what to expect.
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In addition to self-exclusion, some UK banks offer the option of activating a gambling block on your account. This means that if you try to place a bet with your card when a gambling block is active, the bank will decline the transaction meaning the bet will not be placed. You can find a list of all the banks offering this by searching GambleAware.
The GambleAware website also contains information on how to block gambling websites on your computer, smartphone or tablet, by using specific gambling-blocking software which can act like parental blocks. There is also advice on how to limit gambling ads on certain social media platforms.
Whilst there has been a stigma around gambling issues, more recently people have been speaking out about their experiences including celebrities like Paul Merson, Jack ‘Pieface’ McDermott and Paul Sinha. More people are becoming aware of gambling harms meaning the help is there for anyone wanting to receive help.
GambleAware offers free advice, tools and support for anyone who is worried about their gambling. Search GambleAware to find out more and let’s open up about gambling.
Thomas Thorn