Gambling harms

The UK has one of the biggest gambling markets in the world. Gambling can not only lead to harming an individual, but their families, friends and wider society.

  • Do you bet more than you can afford to lose?
  • Do you need to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling?
  • Have you tried to win back money you have lost (chasing losses)?
  • Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
  • Have you wondered whether you have a problem with gambling?
  • Has your gambling caused you any health problems, including feelings of stress or anxiety?
  • Have other people criticised your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem (regardless of whether or not you thought it was true)?
  • Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?
  • Have you ever felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?

Score 0 for each time you answer "never"
Score 1 for each time you answer "sometimes"
Score 2 for each time you answer "most of the time"
Score 3 for each time you answer "almost always"

If your total score is 8 or higher, gambling may be harming your health and wellbeing.

If you are gambling and you'd like to stop, support and treatment is available.

There's evidence that gambling can be successfully treated in the same way as other addictions. Cognitive behavioural therapy (opens in a new window) usually has the best results.

Treatment and support groups are available for people who want to stop gambling - have a look at the pages below:

NHS North West Gambling Service (opens in a new window) – Specialist NHS support and treatment for gambling-related harms across the North West with local clinics

Gambling related harms - Beacon Counselling Trust (opens in a new window) - free counselling across Lancashire and South Cumbria

Help for gambling harms - NHS (www.nhs.uk) (opens in a new window)

Get help with gambling problems - Citizens Advice (opens in a new window)

Former Premier League footballer Clarke Carlisle has opened up about his own personal expereinces with gambling in a bid to help others dealing with gambling harms.

The 41-year-old is supporting the Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership’s Let’s Keep Talking suicide prevention campaign.

Being a compulsive gambler can harm your health and relationships and leave you in serious debt.

Have a listen to Clarke's story:

 

We're proud to sponsor a new podcast exploring the relationship between professional footballers and gambling related harms.

Alongside the Beacon Counselling Trust, we are jointly sponsoring the new six-part series ‘Football Untold’ which went live on Monday 24 April 2023.

The podcast features several former and current professional footballers who have chosen to share their stories of addiction, deceit and finding a new life away from betting.

Former Blackpool, Burnley and Preston North End defender Clarke Carlisle, who has previously supported our Let’s Keep Talking suicide prevention campaign, is the focus of the first episode.

The series will look at the macho culture of dressing rooms, the stigma which still surrounds gambling related harms, and signpost listeners to help and support if they’ve been impacted by the issues raised.

Listen to the podcast
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