Shame and Secrecy: The Hidden Crisis of Gambling Addiction in the UK 💔🎰
Problematic Gamblers in Britain Often Feel Embarrassed About Their Gambling Addiction, Choosing to Shun Assistance Offered
New findings by GambleAware reveal the stark reality of gamblers struggling in silence due to feelings of shame and self-blame. 📸 Image by Nathan Cowley via Pexels.
Brace Yourself: The Chilling Figures from GambleAware's United Kingdom Survey
In an eye-opening study by UK gambling charity GambleAware, it's clear that despite escalating conversations about gambling risks, many Britons battle their addictions hidden, feeling isolated and tormented.
The recent study, revealed by GambleAware on April 16, was conducted by the British market research institute YouGov [Link in English]. The aim was to gauge the public opinion on the UK gambling market [LINK TO YOUGOV STUDY]. More than 3,000 adults aged 18+ participated, with a focus on 750 individuals displaying a Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) score of 1 or more.
A Silent Battle: The Shame and Self-Blame Suffocating Many
The study unveiled that over one in four individuals with gambling issues are keeping it a secret from friends and family. The devastating psychological toll of gambling problems silently plagues many, with around a quarter of those affected choosing to remain silent out of shame and self-blame.
Moreover, an alarming 47% of respondents admitted they don't know how to help someone struggling with a gambling addiction. Zoe Osmond, the CEO of GambleAware, stressed the importance of fostering open conversations to combat the stigma and empower individuals to seek support [iGB].
Meet GambleAware: The Tireless Watchdog on Britain's Gambling Epidemic
Since 2007, GambleAware [Link in English] has been crusading tirelessly to spread awareness about gambling risks and the devastating consequences that follow. Through public relations efforts, research, and campaigns, GambleAware is a relentless force in the fight against gambling addiction.
GambleAware heavily invests in research on gambling behavior and the impacts of gambling-related harm, in addition to offering support services for those struggling and their families. The organization also provides referrals to counseling services via the National Gambling Support Network and regularly develops prevention programs to protect young people from the pervasive dangers of gambling.
Gambling Ads: Flooding Society, Fueling Addiction?
The latest study by GambleAware also underlines the growing concerns over the sheer prevalence of gambling advertising in the UK. An astounding 62% of participants said they were bombarded by gambling ads everywhere, with 39% claiming they saw them at least twice daily.
Even more revealing, 31% of respondents confessed that they first encountered gambling ads as minors. A staggering 65% believed that gambling ads had a considerable influence on the development of potential gambling addiction.
The War on Gambling Advertising Intensifies
Back in 2024, another GambleAware study highlighted the looseness of gambling advertising regulations in the UK [Link in English]. The study implied regulation changes were necessary to protect vulnerable individuals from the clutches of manipulative promotional practices. MP Alex Sobel of the Labour Party even called for an outright ban on gambling ads on television.
Aligned with these concerns, GambleAware has continuously advocated for stricter advertising guidelines. As recently as April 2025, 78% of study participants demonstrated their support for tighter regulations. The new rules aim to decrease exposure to gambling incentives and minimize potential dangers to minors, who may struggle to distinguish gambling ads from social or skill-based games.
Zoe Osmond, the CEO of GambleAware, highlighted the long-term damage that could be inflicted upon minors by the omnipresent nature of gambling advertising: "Our daily lives are flooded with gambling ads. This normalizes a risky activity with serious implications for people's lives, even for children."
A Sea of Poker Chips: Simulating the Shocking Number of Minors Exposed to Gambling
In an effort to raise awareness about the dangers of gambling for minors, GambleAware is collaborating on a campaign in a London shopping center. This campaign includes 85,000 poker chips, each representing a minor aged 11 to 17 who has already been exposed to gambling. According to GambleAware, the number of affected children and young people has doubled since 2023.
These chilling figures underscore the urgent need for more comprehensive efforts to protect minors from the pervasive allure of gambling and the destructive consequences that follow.
Additional Insights:
Last year, the UK Gambling Commission released new regulations aimed at reducing the risks associated with gambling advertising, as evidenced by GambleAware's ongoing concerns [1][5]. These regulations address harmful practices like cross-product promotions, wagering limits, and marketing restrictions [1]. By enhancing transparency and consumer protections, these updates aim to safeguard vulnerable individuals from predatory advertising tactics, which can lead to addiction and extensive gambling.
- The secrecy and shame surrounding gambling addiction among Britons have been highlighted in a recent study by GambleAware, revealing that over one in four individuals with gambling issues choose to conceal it from friends and family.
- In the same study, it was also shown that 47% of respondents were unsure about how to help someone struggling with a gambling addiction.
- GambleAware, a UK gambling charity, has been actively working since 2007 to raise awareness about gambling risks, fund research, and provide support services for those affected.
- The study conducted by YouGov, revealed by GambleAware on April 16, involved over 3,000 adults, with a focus on 750 individuals displaying a Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) score of 1 or more.
- The study indicated that 62% of participants were inundated with gambling ads everywhere, with 39% claiming they saw them at least twice daily.
- Strikingly, 31% of respondents admitted to first encountering gambling ads as minors, and 65% believed that gambling ads significantly influenced the development of potential gambling addiction.
- The ongoing concerns regarding the grewing prevalence of gambling advertising have led to calls for stricter advertising guidelines, such as an outright ban on gambling ads on television.
- To raise awareness about the dangers of gambling for minors, GambleAware has collaborated on a campaign in a London shopping center using 85,000 poker chips, each representing a minor aged 11 to 17 who has been exposed to gambling.
- The finance industry, including wealth management, personal finance, banking, and insurance, and the fintech sector are also being urged to invest in gambling addiction research and prevention programs.
- Career development, education, and self-development sectors can also contribute to educating individuals about the risks of gambling and the importance of mental health in maintaining personal well-being.
- Job-search platforms can incorporate skills training, focusing on mental health and financial literacy, to equip job seekers with the necessary tools to navigate the potential pitfalls of gambling and manage their personal finances responsibly.
- The real-estate industry could also play a role by implementing policies that prohibit gambling establishments from opening in close proximity to schools or residential areas, mitigating the exposure of minors to gambling opportunities.
