It was announced that three gambling firms owned by William Hill would pay nearly £20m in penalties after failing to protect customers from large amounts of gambling. 

The Gambling Commission even considered suspending the company’s licence after one customer was allowed to spend a huge £23,000 in 20 minutes without any additional checks being made. 

While rules set out by the Gambling Commission in 2022 highlight firms have a duty of care to protect customers from gambling harm, experts have warned that not enough is being done to prevent gambling addiction from occurring. 

With this in mind, Martin Preston, founder and chief executive at Private Rehab Clinic Delamere has explained why online betting companies are fuelling the addiction problem, the signs of gambling addiction to be vigilant of and tips for changing your gambling habits. 

How can online betting can fuel a gambling addiction?

“Gambling addiction is a progressive brain disorder that manifests in the same way as a substance addiction. A dependent person will continue to gamble despite adverse consequences, display a lack of self-control and compulsive engagement in gambling, and develop intense cravings to continue the destructive behaviour.”

“Gambling triggers the same part of the brain that controls the pleasure and reward systems, in the same way the stimulating drugs do. This causes a release of dopamine – a pleasure chemical – into the brain, which causes a gambler to feel good when they win money.”

“However, just like stimulant drugs, this can turn into an addiction, where the person can not stop gambling no matter how hard they try.”

“Betting online through apps, casinos, and slot machines can be extremely dangerous. Firstly, gambling online is available 24/7. There are no opening and closing hours when it comes to online bets, meaning someone with a gambling addiction can keep placing bets no matter the time of day or where they are. As a result, it becomes easy to keep spending money or lose a sense of control.” 

“Not only that, but online betting can be easier to mask from friends and family, as you are not physically going into shops or attending sporting events. It can be easier for an online gambling problem to get under the radar and get out of hand as loved ones are unaware of the issue and cannot offer their support.” 

“It is particularly concerning that online gambling firms do not already have more stringent measures to stop people who have a gambling problem from blowing thousands of pounds at a time, especially during the current economic crisis. Going forward, we would like more protection to protect those more susceptible to addiction.”

Signs that someone may be having problems with online gambling addiction

The belief that someone suffering from online gambling addiction can win back previous losses becomes all-consuming, and these increasing attempts at gambling more money can drive their losses even further.

Signs of online gambling addiction 

• Obsessing over online gambling 
• Spending most of your time on your phone online gambling 
• Constantly checking online gambling platforms and apps
• Being secretive about phone/laptop use
• Irritation and restlessness when prevented from online gambling
• Borrowing money and getting into increasing debt
• Selling their possessions to fund their online gambling addiction
• Stealing money to fund their online gambling addiction
• Frequently thinking about online gambling and planning to gamble
• Increasing the amount of money, they gamble each time
• Repeatedly trying, yet failing, to quit gambling despite their losses
• Continuing to gamble even though you can see the damage being caused to their finances, social life, work and family relationships
• In denial that they have an addiction to online gambling and claiming they can stop if they want to
• Becoming so consumed by online gambling that they lose interest in activities that they previously enjoyed
• Anxiety due to their worsening financial situation, yet continuing to gamble regardless

How to change your gambling habits

Removing all gambling apps on your PC and phone

Try to make your environment gambling free, so you are less tempted by its presence. If you have been betting online or by telephone, remove all numbers and applications associated with gambling. Temptation can never be completely eradicated, but you can minimise it within your home environment.

Strengthen your support network

Support while overcoming addiction is vital and can make a huge difference in your recovery. Active gambling addiction leans towards secrecy, isolation and dishonesty.

By being open with your family and friends that you are trying to quit gambling, they will be more mindful and supportive.

Join a peer support group or mutual aid group for gambling addiction

Knowing that you are not alone in your battle with gambling addiction is a great comfort. Peer support and mutual aid groups like Gamblers Anonymous enable you to connect with like-minded people. Mutual aid meetings are also a safe place to share your thoughts and feelings without fearing harming or causing worry to those close to you.

Learn new ways of coping with your emotions

Stress and strong emotions can trigger addiction to making an active comeback. You must learn to manage your emotions more healthily to avoid gambling relapse.

Healthier ways of coping with and managing emotions include meditation, mindfulness, yoga, breath work, attending counselling for gambling, fitness, writing thoughts and feelings down and talking things through with someone who understands. 

We recommend trying different things so that you can gain as many tools to help you with your recovery from gambling as possible.

Face your problems

To overcome a gambling addiction, it is necessary to face the consequences the disorder has caused in your life. We understand that this is the hardest part of recovery for most.

However, the payoff of facing up to your problems is immense. Try to tackle one problem at a time, making a list of people or institutions to which you owe money. Seeking help and advice from a debt resolution company or citizens advice will be very helpful.

Seek professional help for mental health problems and trauma

To give yourself the best chance of successfully overcoming problem gambling at home, you must seek professional help for anything that may hold you back or cause you to relapse.

Most individuals who suffer from addiction have issues that are unresolved or mental health illness that has not been correctly treated. Your GP can arrange some counselling sessions and, if necessary, refer you to your local mental health services for further assessment and treatment.

Try to resolve problems in personal relationships

Addiction causes loved ones to suffer, also. If you are close to your family or have a significant other, they have likely bore the brunt of your gambling problem. Apologies and promises mean very little when they have heard it all before.

We suggest showing them, through your actions, that you are serious about change. It may take time for them to trust you, do not be surprised if this time is lengthy. Be patient and suggest they also seek help and support to help them heal.

Be kind and forgiving of yourself

This is very important as feelings of shame, guilt and self-hatred can eat a person up. Understand that you suffer from an illness that gravely affects your thinking and behaviour. Try to show yourself some compassion, and do not be hard on yourself when you make mistakes. 

Part of recovery is learning from mistakes. Humans are all fallible; sometimes, you will say or do the wrong thing. It is also important to let go of expectations and timeframes. Recovery from addiction is a journey, not a destination.