Latest news with #ProblemGamblingSeverityIndex
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gambling addicts need someone to talk to says ex-footballer
A former professional footballer who turned to gambling after trying to fit in with teammates is urging others with addiction to "confide in someone".Tony Kelly was signed by Bristol City at 16 before being released, ending up playing non-league football in London two years later where his addiction told John Darvall on BBC Radio Bristol he moved to London as a "quiet" teenager who wanted to "feel a sense of belonging"."When I saw the older players go to the bookmakers to put their football bets on, that was my way to join in," he said. In December 2024 NHS England said nearly 2,000 people were referred to gambling clinics between April and September - up from 800 in the same period in Problem Gambling Severity Index is available on the NHS website. Mr Kelly, who is from Coventry, started gambling with horses and football, then he spent years in professional football, he got involved in casinos before finishing his career at 30 years old with more than £500,000 in debt."I often wonder to myself, how did I not get to the point of no return? I lost absolutely everything," Mr Kelly added gambling also cost him his two houses and relationship issues, and he filed for bankruptcy in wrote and published Red Card, which was about his addiction and his career in 2013, which he said was the start of his recovery."When I went on BBC Breakfast [to promote the book] that was it, because the feedback from that was unbelievable. "It opened my eyes in terms of how many people it resonated with.""I knew then I had been in denial for years. It was a massive weight off my shoulder." Mr Kelly founded the Red Card Gambling Project in a bid to help others with a gambling addiction, and has written a second book about his journey."I strongly urge that before you hit rock bottom, you will have your wins, but over a long period of time it will destroy you. "You've got to confide in someone, you've got to talk because you will end up hitting rock bottom, and even worst."
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Recovering gambler urges others to not 'suffer in silence'
A recovering gambling addict is urging others to not "suffer in silence" as new official figures reveal that problem gambling levels in Northern Ireland remain at a similar level as before. Stephen Kerr said his addiction started when he was 15 years old, by 18 he was a "full-blown gambling addict". Two years later he was in a rehabilitation facility. "It started off small and just kept growing and growing, I've lost thousands," Mr Kerr told BBC News NI. Problem gambling is gambling which compromises, disrupts or damages the individual or their family, as well as their daily life and career. Northern Ireland has the highest rate of problem gamblers in the United Kingdom, based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). In 2024, 3% of respondents in Northern Ireland were considered to be a problem gambler, the Northern Ireland Research Agency (NISRA) has revealed. This figure is similar to that in previous years: in 2016, problem gambler levels in Northern Ireland were at 2% and 3% in 2010. Across England, Scotland and Wales, 2.5% of respondents in 2023 were found to be problem gamblers, according to the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). The PGSI assesses how prevalent problem gambling is within a population. It asks respondents to assess their own gambling habits over the previous 12 months. The questions are then scored and any total PGSI score above eight puts the individual in the "problem gambler" group. Mr Kerr, who was a champion runner for Ireland in the European Cross Country, has been recovering from his gambling addiction for more than 15 years. Despite rehab intervention, Mr Kerr, like many addicts, found himself battling multiple addictions including alcohol and drugs. In 2021 he sought further help from Cuan Mhuire which he credits with saving his life. Mr Kerr described gambling addiction as a "weird one" compared to alcohol and drug addictions because it can be so easily hidden. The 32 year old said that having good people around him has been key to his recovery. Going forward Mr Kerr said he would like to see greater support for those affected and encouraged women to talk more about gambling addiction to help address the stigma associated with the illness. "An addiction's an addiction, you're sick, you need help and once you reach out then you have to grab it with both hands." Mr Kerr has used social media to reach out and support people going through addiction. "Don't suffer in silence, reach out, but reach out to the right people, be it to gamblers anonymous groups or somebody going through recovery online. "Don't wait to hit rock bottom for every rock bottom is a trap door," he said. In 2024, 57% of surveyed adults said they gambled in the last 12 months, which is a decrease from the 2016 and 2010 survey, the Nisra study suggests. The most popular method of gambling in 2024 was in-person with National Lottery draw tickets being the most common gambling type. Despite new laws in 2022 allowing betting shops and bingo halls in Northern Ireland to open later on a Sunday, 89% of surveyed adults said they have never bet on a Sunday. The current laws contained in the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order date back to 1985 There is no single independent regulatory body for gambling in Northern Ireland Courts and councils license gambling activities, the Department for Communities is responsible for track betting licences and enforcement lies with the police The 1985 order predates the development of the internet and therefore contains no provisions relating to online gambling NI consumers are offered some protection through laws in Great Britain There are also no provisions requiring the gambling industry in NI to make any contribution to funding support services for problem gambling NI laws were last updated in 2022 to allow for extended opening hours for bookmakers and bingo halls 'We went to the bookies after school until doors shut' 'Strong support' for NI gambling regulator Gambling laws 'could have saved our son's life'
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
NI gambling: Recovering addict urges others to seek support
A recovering gambling addict is urging others to not "suffer in silence" as new official figures reveal that problem gambling levels in Northern Ireland remain at a similar level as Kerr said his addiction started when he was 15 years old, by 18 he was a "full-blown gambling addict". Two years later he was in a rehabilitation facility."It started off small and just kept growing and growing, I've lost thousands," Mr Kerr told BBC News NI. What is problem gambling? Problem gambling is gambling which compromises, disrupts or damages the individual or their family, as well as their daily life and Ireland has the highest rate of problem gamblers in the United Kingdom, based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).In 2024, 3% of respondents in Northern Ireland were considered to be a problem gambler, the Northern Ireland Research Agency (NISRA) has figure is similar to that in previous years: in 2016, problem gambler levels in Northern Ireland were at 2% and 3% in England, Scotland and Wales, 2.5% of respondents in 2023 were found to be problem gamblers, according to the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). What is the PGSI? The PGSI assesses how prevalent problem gambling is within a asks respondents to assess their own gambling habits over the previous 12 questions are then scored and any total PGSI score above eight puts the individual in the "problem gambler" group. Mr Kerr, who was a champion runner for Ireland in the European Cross Country, has been recovering from his gambling addiction for more than 15 years. Despite rehab intervention, Mr Kerr, like many addicts, found himself battling multiple addictions including alcohol and drugs. In 2021 he sought further help from Cuan Mhuire which he credits with saving his life. 'Don't wait to hit rock bottom' Mr Kerr described gambling addiction as a "weird one" compared to alcohol and drug addictions because it can be so easily 32 year old said that having good people around him has been key to his forward Mr Kerr said he would like to see greater support for those affected and encouraged women to talk more about gambling addiction to help address the stigma associated with the illness."An addiction's an addiction, you're sick, you need help and once you reach out then you have to grab it with both hands."Mr Kerr has used social media to reach out and support people going through addiction."Don't suffer in silence, reach out, but reach out to the right people, be it to gamblers anonymous groups or somebody going through recovery online."Don't wait to hit rock bottom for every rock bottom is a trap door," he said. What else did the statistics reveal? In 2024, 57% of surveyed adults said they gambled in the last 12 months, which is a decrease from the 2016 and 2010 survey, the Nisra study most popular method of gambling in 2024 was in-person with National Lottery draw tickets being the most common gambling new laws in 2022 allowing betting shops and bingo halls in Northern Ireland to open later on a Sunday, 89% of surveyed adults said they have never bet on a Sunday. What are NI's gambling laws? The current laws contained in the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order date back to 1985There is no single independent regulatory body for gambling in Northern IrelandCourts and councils license gambling activities, the Department for Communities is responsible for track betting licences and enforcement lies with the policeThe 1985 order predates the development of the internet and therefore contains no provisions relating to online gamblingNI consumers are offered some protection through laws in Great BritainThere are also no provisions requiring the gambling industry in NI to make any contribution to funding support services for problem gamblingNI laws were last updated in 2022 to allow for extended opening hours for bookmakers and bingo halls
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
GPs asked to identify potential gambling addicts
GPs and other healthcare professionals in England should help identify potential problem gambling, in the same way they look for alcohol and smoking addiction, new guidance says. In its first recommendations on gambling, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says they should look for "gambling-related harms", including to health, finances and people around the patient, such as their family and local community. In 2023, a survey of 20,000 adults found 2.5% had a gambling problem, with young men most at risk of addiction. The Problem Gambling Severity Index remains available on the NHS website. The people most likely to have a gambling problem Asking about gambling in an environment where the patient is comfortable, or with a trusted individual, could help breakdown some of the stigma and shame associated with this addiction, it is hoped. NICE also wants those working in mental health and social services to ask about gambling, especially when speaking to those with depression and anxiety or previous issues with other addictions, self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Those at increased risk may also have other diagnoses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), personality disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some medications may also make some people more impulsive, while difficult home environments could also increase their risk. View this post on Instagram A post shared by GambleAware (@gambleawaregb) National clinical director for primary care Dr Claire Fuller said: "We welcome NICE's decision, as gambling can have a massive impact on people's lives and the lives of the people that care for them, - and as healthcare professionals, we need the right tools to help tackle gambling-related harms." NHS England says it has opened 15 gambling clinics since 2019, most last year. They are expected to treat about 3,000 people a year, including access to psychologists and psychiatrists and support for family and friends. 'Gamble, gamble, gamble, that's all I cared about' 'I spent my wedding night gambling away our money'
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
GPs asked to identify potential gambling addicts
GPs and other healthcare professionals in England should help identify potential problem gambling, in the same way they look for alcohol and smoking addiction, new guidance says. In its first recommendations on gambling, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says they should look for "gambling-related harms", including to health, finances and people around the patient, such as their family and local community. In 2023, a survey of 20,000 adults found 2.5% had a gambling problem, with young men most at risk of addiction. The Problem Gambling Severity Index remains available on the NHS website. The people most likely to have a gambling problem Asking about gambling in an environment where the patient is comfortable, or with a trusted individual, could help breakdown some of the stigma and shame associated with this addiction, it is hoped. NICE also wants those working in mental health and social services to ask about gambling, especially when speaking to those with depression and anxiety or previous issues with other addictions, self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Those at increased risk may also have other diagnoses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), personality disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some medications may also make some people more impulsive, while difficult home environments could also increase their risk. National clinical director for primary care Dr Claire Fuller said: "We welcome NICE's decision, as gambling can have a massive impact on people's lives and the lives of the people that care for them, - and as healthcare professionals, we need the right tools to help tackle gambling-related harms." NHS England says it has opened 15 gambling clinics since 2019, most last year. They are expected to treat about 3,000 people a year, including access to psychologists and psychiatrists and support for family and friends. 'Gamble, gamble, gamble, that's all I cared about' 'I spent my wedding night gambling away our money'
