Gambling issues
If you are becoming reliant on gambling as a source of making money, or if you are betting more than you can afford to lose, you may have a gambling problem.
Overview
While some people are able to gamble as a one-off occurrence for fun, this is not true for everyone and gambling can quickly become addictive and unmanageable.
If you believe that gambling is having a negative impact on your life, it's important to seek support as soon as you recognise the issue.
What is a gambling addiction?
A gambling addiction is where you are struggling to control the urge to gamble, even when it's having a negative and disruptive impact on your life.
How can gambling affect my life?
Frequent gambling can lead to
- financial difficulties, eg debt
- relationship issues, eg social isolation
- health issues, eg low self-esteem or anxiety
- academic or work issues, eg decreased attendance and performance
What support is available?
University support
If you believe there is an underlying problem to your gambling, there are a variety of support teams at the University that can help with this:
Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service (student login required) offers mental health and wellbeing support for students.
External support
The following external agencies can offer confidential advice and support to help manage gambling addictions:
- Gambler's Anonymous runs local support groups and has a similar approach to Alcoholics Anonymous to help with recovery with the addiction. Just as the AA runs support groups called Al-Anon for friends and family, Gamblers Anonymous has something similar called GamAnon.
- GamCare offers information, counselling and support for people with gambling problems and they run the National Gambling Helpline (+44 808 8020 133), which also offers face-to-face counselling.
- Big Deal? is an online support group for advice and support.
- The National Problem Gambling Clinic is a self-referral specialist NHS clinic for people in England and Wales who are aged 16 or over.
- Responsible Gaming Council (Canada)- Information about gambling and online gaming
- Money Helper- Tackling problem gambling and debt
- YGAM for students
- Gamban: Block Access to Gambling Websites and Apps Worldwide
- Gambless: Resources Against Gambling Addiction
I'm in financial hardship and I'm struggling to pay my bills – what should I do?
If you are a current student worried about your current financial situation, you should speak with a Money Adviser at the Students' Union Advice Centre.
If you are a prospective student, please seek external support.