Gambling is when you risk money (or something of value) in a game or a bet in the hope of winning money or a prize.

There are lots of different types of gambling and you may not immediately realise some activities are gambling. The Gambling Act 2005 sets out how gambling is regulated in Great Britain and it covers arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, gaming machines, society lotteries, and online gambling.

Forms of Gambling

The Law on Gambling

In the UK, you must be 18 to partake in all forms of gambling activities. In 2021, the required age to play the national lottery and buy scratch cards was increased from 16 to 18 in the UK.

Although despite still being classed as gambling, category D machines have no minimum age for players. These are machines such as low-stake fruit machines, coin pushers or crane grabs which are commonly found in arcades. This means that children can be subjected to gambling at a young age and are at risk of developing an addiction.

Effects of Gambling

Gambling can be extremely addictive due to a range of motives from thrill seeking, to winning big money, to chasing loses. Due to the addictive nature of gambling, it can cause:

• Low self-esteem
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Suicide, suicidal thoughts/attempts
• Relationship problems
• Poor work performance or job loss

Signs of Problem Gambling

• Repeatedly asking to borrow money
• Taking out loans to fund gambling
• Become withdrawn from family
• Negative changes in personality
• Leaving bills unpaid
• Lying or being secretive about gambling losses
• Increasing amounts of money to get the same level of thrill
• Feeling irritable when you try to cut back on gambling
• Trying to get back lost money by chasing losses
• Risking or losing important relationships, a job, or work opportunities due to gambling

Where can you find help?

If you are suffering from a gambling addiction or know of someone who has a gambling addiction then you can seek support via a number of organisations, please see our SUPPORT LINKS page for some of these organisations. You can also contact us using the form below: