Contact us for further support...GamCare offers a range of help and advice. You can browse our website for more information about gambling and problem gambling www.bigdeal.org.uk.

If you want to speak to someone you can call our HelpLine free on 0808 8020 133.

If you’d rather chat to an Adviser online, our NetLine service is available here www.gamcare.org.uk/netline.

We can give you advice about your situation, offer tips on how to control your gambling, and if you would like further help, we can refer you to the right people. All of our staff are fully trained and give friendly, confidential guidance to anyone affected by a gambling problem. You don’t even have to give us your name. We’ll make it work for you; all you have to do is get in touch.

GamCare.We know about gambling. We care about you.

Talking to a problem gambler

Sometimes, family and friends will spot the problem first, because the gambler might be convincing him or herself that everything is fine when really it isn’t.

Let the gambler know the reason you’re concerned is that you care about them. It’s also helpful to use positive communication rather than being confrontational or critical. You could try talking about how you’re feeling by using ‘I’ messages to lessen defences and keep lines of communication open. Below are some examples, but it’s important to be genuine and talk to the gambler in a natural way.

GamblingYouth&

Help and support for young people

Call free on: 0808 8020 133 www.bigdeal.org.uk www.gamcare.org.uk

www.childline.org.uk Childline offers information and support on a range of issues for young people

www.thesite.org.uk TheSite.org is the online guide to life for 16 to 25 year-olds

www.youthaccess.org.uk Youth Access is the largest provider of young people’s advice and counselling services in the UK

A charitable Company Registered in England No. 3297914 Charity No. 1060005

Call free on: 0808 8020 133

www.bigdeal.org.uk

www.gamcare.org.uk

Once you’ve started the conversation, listen carefully to their response. Don’t jump in or cut them off mid sentence, as this might drive them back into their shell or make them turn defensive. Being calm and caring is really important, but don’t allow them to make excuses for their gambling and certainly don’t help them out with money, as this could make the problem much worse.

For more help and advice about talking to a problem gambler...

Please contact GamCare – call our HelpLine free on 0808 8020 133 or visit www.gamcare.org.uk or www.bigdeal.org.uk.

“You’re my friend and I’m upset

because I see you doing things

that are really risky”

“I love you and I don’t want you to hurt yourself. Talk to me about what’s going on”

“I can see you’re not happy at the moment and it upsets me. I want to help”

To access further information on sources of evidence visit www.gamcare.org.uk or email info@gamcare.org.uk

Publication review date: December 2014 Issue date: December 2012

Young people take part in all forms of gambling. The most common types for young people between 11 and 16 are the lottery, scratch cards, slot machines, and making bets or playing cards with friends, with either cash or other items at stake. Around 80% of young people will have gambled at some point in their lives, and almost a quarter gamble every week.

Only 2% of young people aged between 12 and 15 develop gambling problems, but for those that do it can lead to a negative impact on their life. Anyone can develop a gambling problem. Young people are more at risk of developing a problem when there is are a history of gambling in their family. We also know that the earlier in life people start to gamble, the more likely they are to experience gambling-related problems later on.

Legal ages

The minimum legal age for gambling in the UK is 18 years old. This applies to adult gaming centres, betting shops, bingo halls, casinos, racetracks and online gambling. The exceptions to this are the National Lottery and scratchcards – the legal age is 16.

However, some gaming machines, such as coin pushers, teddy grabbers and lower stakes fruit machines don’t have a minimum legal age. Any venue that provides gambling activities with a minimum legal age must stick to rules designed to prevent underage gambling.

Safer gambling

Gambling starts as a fun activity, but for a minority, somewhere along the way it begins to cause problems.

• Never forget that gambling isn’t an investment for your money, you’re actually buying entertainment• Treat it as a fun activity or social event, not as a way to win big• Don’t gamble because you feel pressured by your friends • Understand the odds and costs of the game you’re playing• Have fun, but give yourself a limit of how long you want to gamble for and how much you want to spend • Only gamble with money that you can afford to lose, and don’t gamble to try and make money or to pay back debts• Keep up with other hobbies, interests and responsibilities, and make time for your friends, family and other people around you

If something makes you wonder if there’s a problem, then the chances are that there is one, even if it’s just a small problem for the time being. Think you may have a gambling problem? Some of the warning signs to look out for are:

• A significant interest in gambling and gambling-related activities• Problems in school, such as a loss of interest or unexplained absences• Changes in personality or behaviour• Changes in relationships (new friends and acquaintances whilst ignoring old friends)• Changes in mood and explosive bouts of anger • Displays of anxiety and stress• Spending more time and/or money gambling than intended• Wanting to stop gambling or betting but thinking it’s too hard• Telling lies about gambling and winnings• Having arguments with family or friends • Going back to win back money or possessions that you’ve already lost• Feeling bad about gambling• Regularly missing or being late for school or work • Being criticised for gambling or identified by others as someone with a problem• Borrowing or stealing money from people to gamble

Asking someone for help

The first step is always the hardest but we’re here to help you take it. If you know that your gambling is causing you problems but you’re not sure how to talk to someone about it, we’re here to listen and give advice on how to overcome your problem. When the people in your life know about your gambling – and, more importantly, know that you want to do something about it – it makes it much easier for you to make changes.

It may be that your friends and family already have an idea that you have a gambling problem. They may react with anger, distress, shock, sadness, or they might not seem to quite understand how you feel They could also be very understanding right from the start. If people offer you help and support, accept it. It also helps if you’re clear and specific about what you want, or need, from the person you’re asking for help.

GamCare.We know about gambling. We care about you.

Ashley Taylor Dawson from

Hollyoaks is the face of BigDeal

Ashley’s character Darren developed an obsession with gambling, which eventually led him to lose his Dad’s pub. He then wound up in jail after trying to escape from a messy situation.

Ashley is the offical face of BigDeal, and hopes to help young people understand the risks that gambling entails.

“I am really pleased to be working with GamCare

on the BigDeal website. I have learned all about

the highest highs and the lowest lows of gambling,

through playing my character Darren on Hollyoaks.

I know there are all too many Darrens out there

and I want to help promote the message that for

those who choose to gamble there are things you

can do to keep it safe and places to go if things

go wrong.”