EXCL: Stronger regulation of betting apps needed, says ex-gambler who lost nearly £100,000
This week we exclusively revealed a new specialist gambling clinic in the East Midlands has had hundreds of referrals in less than a year
Last updated 11th Apr 2024
A former gambler from Leicestershire who lost £93,000 wants stronger regulation over betting apps, to stop more people from falling into addiction.
This week we exclusively revealed over 200 referrals have already been made to the East Midlands Gambling Harms Service, since it became fully operational in September 2023.
The service was set up to support problem gamblers with some of the most serious addictions in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland.
Gaz, from Leicestershire - who wanted to keep his full identity anonymous - said it's taken him the last six years to re-build his life after losing £93,000.
Speaking to us as part of our investigation into problem gambling, he said: "I must've had six different apps where I was gambling quite heavy."
"I was gambling more than I was earning and basically I lost everything, literally everything."
"I've paid every penny back. I've worked hard and paid it all back. It ruined me, but I'm back."
He added: "It's not just football, you've got slots, bingos. You join their app and put money on - they'll give you more free bets..."
"... that's drawing you in. It's like the arcade machines. The bright lights. They're attracting you."
"Phones are the demons for gamblers, because gambling online is just so accessible. I think it should be governed. They say it's governed now, but it's not. People could lose their house, people could lose their livelihood."
'The figures don't show the full scale of the problem'
Earlier this year, national gambling helpline GamCare revealed it received over 52,000 calls and messages in 2023 - the most ever on record.
Last summer, the NHS announced it would launch seven new gambling harms clinics in response to record referrals and demand for support.
Chris Kershaw, also from Leicestershire, tried to take his own life in 2006 after losing over £100,000 gambling.
He said the true number of people suffering with problem gambling is far greater than what the figures make out.
"I couldn't hide it to myself or anyone else anymore in early February 2006. I woke up having placed a bet and felt like I'd never felt before. My choice that morning was to end my own life."
"I still appeared on the surface to be doing quite well at life. That's something that people out there may be able to relate to. It's so easy to hide this addiction."
"I attend football matches fairly regularly and literally everybody around me is gambling on the matches. I was at a match last week and there was a row of lads behind me and I don't think any of them even watched the match if I'm being honest. It's all around us."
"I truly believe this is a bigger problem than most people are aware of. The stats are showing that it is growing, but I still don't think they truly show the full scale of the problem."
"My life over the last 18 years, day-by-day, has slowly gotten so much better. My message to anyone out there who may be suffering would be to try and seek some help."
A spokesperson for The Betting and Gaming Council, said: “BGC members each year contribute tens of millions of pounds towards Research, Prevention and Treatment (RPT) to help prevent gambling related harm and tackle problem gambling, which is currently paid through a unique voluntary levy scheme. This funds an independent network of charities which treats around 85 per cent of all problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain.
“Our four largest members alone pledged £110 million to be administered by GambleAware between 2019 and 2024 to fund this charity network and its work. All RPT donations only go to charities accredited by the Gambling Commission, including GamCare, Gordon Moody and YGAM, to deliver these services and BGC members have no say on how this funding is spent.
“Advertising must comply with strict guidelines and safer gambling messaging, which promotes safer gambling tools like time outs, deposit limits and self-exclusion while signposting help to those concerned about their betting, is regularly and prominently displayed. The Government has previously stated research did not establish a causal link between exposure to advertising and the development of problem gambling.
“The BGC also welcomed the Government’s recent decision on new stake limits for online slots games, which provide enhanced protections for young people.
“Each month in Great Britain around 22.5m adults have a bet and the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4 per cent of the adult population are problem gamblers.”
If you, or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling or gambling addiction, you can find help via the NHS website, the GamCare support helpline or the East Midlands Gambling Harms Service webpage.
All this week we'll be continuing our investigation into problem gambling in the East Midlands on-air and on our website.