News

Workplace sports culture

How healthy is your workplace  sports culture?

Okay so England didn’t quite bring it home (Is it safe to talk about that yet? :-))  But very thankfully we’re seeing the return of some normality at least in the world of sport. One of the firsts since the very dawn of the  pandemic. Sport is back with a vengeance in our lives and in many of our homes. What with the Euro’s, Wimbledon, the Tour de France, the Olympics, the Grand Prix, the Premiership, the list goes on and on (and on, it’s definitely back!). Sport often forms a big part of peoples lives or their entertainment. A lot of people work more than they do anything else in their life. There are huge links between sport and gambling. So what part can workplace sports culture play  in this and how we can make that healthier?

Not Generalising but…..

Now I’m not normally one to generalise, but in my experience, generally some men (not all of you) can tend to talk about sport a lot. Generally a lot more than women do (I know, generalising again, but very true in my experience!) It’s very commonplace for men to be  chatting with friends and work colleagues about the latest match or the Grand Prix etc. We know that in some workplaces, sports talk forms a good part of the work social structure. Whilst in other similar workplace sports cultures, this can also be accompanied by a less healthy gambling culture.  If you want to read more about that, then the article below this  explores the issue in more depth.

talking sport

Building on that workplace sports culture

There can also be wider sports cultures in workplaces and deeper factors to consider. Some companies offer incentives or team building activities like days out to the dogs or the races, executive boxes at different sports  events, nights out at the casino. Some sectors may have fruit machines in communal rest areas.  There maybe various syndicates going on like work lottery groups or fantasy football league or who’s going to win on Strictly or BGT. There can also be a lot of talk about past and future bets. More typically wins, not may people like talking about their losses (yep, the g word again but it is true!) Now at first glance that all seems fairly harmless maybe standard even, however…..

What our work tells us….

We often hear from the clients we are working with who are struggling with their gambling, that the workplace can be a really difficult environment filled with potential triggers. Sadly gambling addiction can still be seen to be stigmatised, not least by the person gambling problematically. Those team building or reward incentives can present a real challenge.  It can be difficult or feel awkward finding reasons to not attend as not a lot of people may know about their issue. If they decide to go because of this, then without good planning or support they could be vulnerable to relapse.

yes no decisions

Similarly, having to opt out of betting syndicates at work can also feel embarrassing or challenging and present the same issues. Yet, this may well be necessary if it is part of or could trigger more out of control gambling. If slot machines  are in communal places  at work and that’s one of your problematic gambling ways, then that’s potentially going to be really tricky to manage. Hearing people talking about gambling or more challenging again their wins, all that can be very difficult.

The slow returning to some sort of norm….

Whilst the world of sport is pretty much back on track, there is much talk about how other workforces will return and the potential for hybrid working. Employee wellbeing and mental health came more into focus at the start of the pandemic and continues to be as we slowly transition to the “new norm”. A much needed emphasis as a lot 0f people will be struggling to adapt and worrying about their future.

Gambling addiction can have a huge impact on the person with the habit and also on those closest to them. The impacts tend to seep into all areas of their life including their mental health and work life. Gambling increased during the multiple lockdowns, despite there not being much live sport initially! Boredom, spare time, stress and ironically having spare cash all playing a part in this.

risks

Don’t worry, I’m not going to do death by stats, but here’s a few that may make you think

  • On average, one problem gambler commits suicide every day, the harm goes wider: for each problem gambler, six other people, a total of two million, are harmed by the breakup of families, crime, loss of employment, loss of homes and, ultimately, loss of life.
  • More than four in five (82%) British adults think that gambling and debt can be a distraction for people in work.
  • Almost three quarters of adults (72%) think business should be concerned about gambling.
  • 15% of online gamblers have been gambling in the workplace in the past four weeks.

What you can do…..

Thinking of one of your colleagues or employees returning or already in the workplace battling with a gambling addiction. How can you make that a healthier place for them?

Here’s our  top 5 tips, to initially help you to do that:

  • Consider your workplace environment/culture
  • Create a workplace policy on gambling
  • Provide awareness training
  • Communicate with employees about responsible gambling and provide information about help and support available
  • Have access to specialist gambling counselling and/or financial counselling to provide for any affected employees.

Want to know more on how to do this or anything else? We love to hear from you! Get in touch on hello@gcspartners .co.uk

You can also connect with us on LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Football and the Gambling Industry

Is Football’s love affair with the Gambling Industry coming to an end?

Gambling Industry’s Influence on Football

The gambling industry has had a firm grip on football for decades now. The relationship has become so intertwined due to sponsorship deals, advertising campaigns, matchday programs, VIP schemes, and global appeal.

Can one survive without the other?Football and the Gambling Industry

We’re all familiar with football being a ‘big money business’ nowadays. Betting firms such as Bet365, Skybet, or Ladbrokes are injecting millions into club and player sponsorship and advertising. Is it surprising that clubs are more dependant on the industry, and the rewards the industry has to offer?

The Gambling Industry is worth around £14.3 billion and continues to grow at a rapid pace. What is cause for concern is how quickly online gambling has taken hold and how this is drawing the younger enthusiasts in at an extremely rapid pace.

 

Online gambling and its Prevalence

Half of all online gamblers have done so on their smartphone, there is a clear age skew, with three-quarters of 18–34-year-old online gamblers using their smartphones to gamble compared to only 14% of those aged 65 and over. 

In comparison to other methods of gambling, online gambling is still very much in its infancy stage but saying that, it’s the only method of gambling that has continued to increase and it comprises 39.9% of the overall market according to Gambling Commission figures.

 

The Effects of Lockdown on Football and Gambling

A shift has occurred over recent years in the way with which people gamble. Remote (or online) gambling being the largest industry sector, generating a GGY of £5.7bn and comprising almost 40% of the overall market.

Online sports betting is still the most popular choice for gamblers in the UK, especially for younger players.

Covid 19 has understandably had negative impacts on the gambling industry and football alike. Online gambling,   somewhat flourished during this time with more people accessing online gambling platforms.  In 2020, almost one in four adults (24%) had gambled online in the last four weeks, compared to around one in six (17%) five years ago.

Research is showing that the pandemic been the cause of this increase in online gambling. Changing trends, more people having smartphones and easy access to platforms that are in abundance also contribute to the increase.

 

Time for reflection!

The gambling industry has had a firm grip on football for decades making billions in the process.  We are starting to see some positive steps with clubs backing campaigns against gambling adverts and sponsorship investment in Gambling Clinics and more public figures coming forward and talking about their experience of football and gambling addiction.

Do you think football and the gambling industry can go further in tackling the issue of problem gambling and/or gambling addiction?

Does the gambling industry and football have a social responsibility in preventing our next generation from developing a gambling addiction?

 

Your thoughts and feedback are always welcome and appreciated. If you feel you would like more info or support from us, please get in touch 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay Well in Lockdown.

By now we are all very familiar with the mantra of Stay at Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives. This post aims to provide a rough lockdown guide with some ideas and resources to stay safe and stay well, whilst staying home.

We’ve been so moved by the real community spirit our nation has forged in the face of Covid-19.

There’s been great humour and amazing creativity via social media and tv to try and lighten the impacts of the pandemic. Along with people providing new social network platforms, diverse and creative activities to occupy us whilst in lockdown.

What may come next…….

It’s been well documented and recognised that our mental health may well struggle at this time. That’s regardless of whether you had an existing mental health issue pre Covid-19 or not. So many factors can contribute to this.

As the restrictions continue we may feel a range of different emotions as we experience more personally the direct impacts of the pandemic. We may be grieving, have financial stress, anxiety about contracting the virus or the health of our loved ones, or fear of being outside.

If relatives or friends are  key workers or working within the NHS  as well as being extremely proud, we may have real worries about their wellbeing. The impacts of ongoing social isolation, the huge changes to our everyday routines and fear of what the future holds.

These are only some of the many issues currently that might be impacting on your emotional wellbeing. So, we want to pull together some ideas, tips and  resources to help people to survive lockdown, stay safe, stay home, stay well and ultimately save lives.

What we can do in lockdown…

Constantly looking at coronavirus related news or media streams may lead to feeling overwhelmed, scared and helpless. If you’re feeling that way, try to keep your exposure to what’s happing about the virus to a minimum, watch the news once a day if you want to be informed or visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus for the governments official updates and advice.

Focus on the things you can do to make sure you stay safe and well and do them.

Try to start and end each day thinking of the things you are grateful for and happy to have in your life.

Unusually for Blighty, a lot of us are often experiencing good weather. Spring is here and all around us flowers are blooming, birds are nesting and nature is in full force. Take some time to really be in the moment, (aka mindfulness!) and tune in to your surroundings, what you’re seeing, smelling, hearing and feeling. Apps like Headspace and Calm can also help you to do this.spring

Take each day, one at a time and plan each day, the night before. Be specific about what you want to achieve. These goals can be big, small or a mixture of both. It’s great to include things that give you a sense of satisfaction or feel good factor.

It’s okay to feel anxious or sad, talk to people in your life about how you’re feeling, they may well be feeling the same. If you don’t feel able to talk to friends or family there are lot’s of organisations offering support at this time, for your mental health or if you are in crisis. We have listed some of these at the end of this post.

Start doing…

Let go of the guilt!! Do you sometimes feel guilty doing things that you want to do? Now we’re not thinking unhealthy behaviours here, just things that you enjoy, that give you pleasure and do you and no-one else any harm. We can often feel guilty about giving ourselves the same time and value that we give to other people or things. Now is a great time to give yourself permission, ditch the guilt and do more of what you want to do.

Stop thinking about the things you can’t do at the moment, think about the things that you can or new things you’d like to try. It can help to think of things you used to enjoy doing but for whatever reason may have stopped.

Can you use this time to learn something new?  Are there things you longed to be able to do before but thought you never had the time? This could be an ideal time to think outside the box about ways you can start doing these things now. Think about what you value, skills and qualities you’ve already got and some you would like to develop more.

Here’s some ideas for inspiration….

Looking for inspiration? Learn a new language (Duolingo is a great free app that teaches a big variety of different languages.)

There are loads of different tutorials available via YouTube or Facebook and other social media that can help you to learn a new skill or build on a current one.

Whatever floats your boat from cookery, PowerPoint, painting, dancing, Chinese, presenting, model building or roller-skating. Literally whatever you chose, there are loads of online resources available to help you. Simply type your interest into the search bar. A lot of suppliers are still delivering. So what’s to stop you starting now?

Get Active through lockdown…

We’ve been hearing from some people that exercising under lockdown is proving more difficult, particularly those that live in built up urban districts.

Often when we think of exercise we think gymn, jog, swim etc. How about dancing like nobody is watching to some of your favourite tunes or doing floor exercises whilst watching your favourite programmes.dance like no-ones watching

Again online resources provide a huge and diverse range of exercise tutorials via YouTube and other social media platforms. A lot of these are free from, Salsa, yoga, cardio literally loads of stuff at your fingertips to try.

It can be hard to get motivated at the best of times to exercise. Try as many different things as you like till you hit on something you enjoy. It’s super important to enjoy what you’re doing to keep your motivation up on days when you might not really feel like doing it.

For  “Friends” fans out there, do you remember the episode about there being no such thing as a totally selfless act? At this time there are a lot of vulnerable people out  there who could do with some help.

In reality doing things for others when they are less able to do some stuff themselves, as well as helping those individuals can give the person doing the helping a really strong feel good factor. An organisation called Action for Happiness have a great website which has loads of great tips for looking after your own and other peoples happiness.

Stay connected in lockdown…

It’s good to talk. We are so lucky to have so many different ways to connect during lockdown and the necessary social distancing and self isolating. Lots of us have access to the telephone and internet. This gives us loads of opportunities to be together remotely which they so didn’t have that during the Spanish flu!

Houseparty is a phone or tablet app for all your friends and family to be on a video call all together. When people in your contacts have also got the app they can see when you’re online and join your party. So remember if you’re wanting a private party, lock the door on your screen to stop any unwanted gate-crashers!

Missing your local Karaoke night? Apps like the Smule or the Voice can be a fun way to keep in touch with your friends. You might even make some new ones. Sing along with them, or by yourself, play about with the special effects and just have fun! Be aware that some apps have a costly weekly or monthly subscription to go ad free, however offer cheaper or free options if you stick with having to watch adverts whilst using their app.

Could you start a book club, or cookery club and have weekly online catch ups? If you specialise in something, how about giving live tutorials, or if you don’t join someone else’s whose doing something you’d like to learn!

Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts and Facetime are all good platforms for keeping in touch much used both socially and in business for webinars etc.

Working from home during lockdown…

Get up the same time as you normally would and get ready for work.

Now, there are different schools of thought about this and depending on what you do, your company may have it’s own policy which needs to be adhered to.

One school of thought is to dress as you would if you were doing your typical day at work. Doing so, can help to get you into the working mindset. Also, if you are doing a lot of video call communication you will look more professional in formal calls.

Another might be dress for comfort, or wear things you feel relaxed and confident in. Either way it’s unanimous that long-term you need to get dressed in the morning to keep a heathy self-care routine going.Photo by Allie Smith on Unsplash

Working from home during lockdown can be challenging. Particularly when you’re in a house with pets or with other people who also may not be there ordinarily. If possible, create a separate space to work, where you can concentrate on what you need to without distractions like tv or social media.

Often homeworking can lead to longer hours and people don’t always remember to take regular breaks. Keep to having a daily schedule with timescales and breaks factored in. You can set timers on your phone to help keep you on track or use apps like Rescue Time , although the latter may come with a cost.

It can help, having a virtual work network or support system to bounce ideas, offload or simply just to feel connected.

Switch on, switch off…….

Its good for our wellbeing to have a healthy balance of stimulation and relaxation.  So it’s really important to recognise when you need to switch on or switch off. Boredom can be as unhealthy as being stressed or over stimulated.

Our brains need variation, you can stimulate your brain more by having different activities you can dip into. Whether that’s puzzle apps like Words with Friends, Sudoko or brain training apps like Elevate, Peak or Lumosity or playing games or having competitions with other members in your household. Remember though that too much time spent gaming is not particularly good for us in terms of productivity and better mental health.

Undoubtedly, lockdown is a real magnifier. Things can feel a lot more intense in the absence of our usual distractions. We are constantly hearing about the virus, the negative impacts and deaths. Understandably, sometimes you might want to just switch off from it all.

Taking some time to just zone out, read a good book, really listen to some music or meditate can help to empty your mind and recharge.  Headspace and Calm are two good apps in relation to the latter. They can also help to reduce unhelpful or uncomfortable emotions, alongside talking about how you’re feeling which for us is one of the best way to do that!

So we’ve already recognised that lockdown has the capacity to be a magnifier for moods and situations. I guess partly due to that it might sometimes feel like you’re living in a pressure cooker! It’s totally understandable that relationships may feel the strain of being in lockdown. There are a number of factor’s that can contribute to this.

So, how are you getting on in lockdown?…

Many people are now either furloughed or working from home. That means you’re probably spending a lot more time with each other. This can be even more challenging as there are also less distractions and ways to escape feelings of pressure.

If you have children, trying to entertain them 24/7, uphold the restrictions and do home schooling can be incredibly stressful. Emotions like, boredom, worry, stress and anxiety can massively impact on how we perceive situations and relate to others and all of these emotions can go hand in hand with what’s happening right now.

Sometimes, the ways we may try and manage these feelings, ironically may only serve to magnify them at a later time or intensify them in the here and now.

With that in mind, keep an eye on which coping strategies you are using and whether they are actually helping. We’re thinking particularly about alcohol consumption, substance use or gambling. It’s very possible levels of these activities may well rise at this time if other coping mechanisms aren’t in place.

All of the different ways to fill time, keep communicating, stay active and stimulated we’ve identified can be brilliant ways to meet emotional needs and distract from triggers without using alcohol, substances or gambling. If you are struggling with any of these issues, please check the resources listed at the end of this article for avenues of support that are available.

Right now, even with the best of relationships, keeping those happy and healthy maybe challenging.

To keep things going….

Firstly, try not to sweat the small stuff. In a world where everything is magnetised with real, sadness and fear around us, it’s easy to lose perspective. Too much time on our hands can lead to overthinking things that wouldn’t normally bother us.

Make time for each other. Sounds crazy given that lot’s of us have much more time right now, but really being with who we are with is something we don’t always really do. Now more than ever is a time to appreciate what we have.

Set out time to chat each day and plan things you can do together. Watch a movie, play a game, do a quiz, go for a walk, do stuff together that you both enjoy. If you are in lockdown separately, you can still do all this remotely, although perhaps not the walk!

If it gets too much…….

Conversely, if you get to the point where you feel like you might blow a fuse, then take some time out. Not always easy to achieve in lockdown but usually possible. Go in to another room, go for a walk, go out into the garden or even just go to the toilet.

Getting out of the immediate situation and getting some breathing space is going to help to get a calmer head set. Take time to think things through and check if you’re response is relative to the situation. Make a pact to only go back to things when you are both in better frames of mind.

Of course, some of us may be in relationships where it’s not possible to use these types of strategies. Tragically but not surprisingly, domestic violence has increased at this time. Women’s Aid are an organisation who support people experiencing domestic violence you can access their website here . They have also created a system to help people who are feeling unsafe and unable to speak to report what’s happening to them. If you need more info about this please click here.

We have provided some more info about agencies who can support you with domestic violence or relationship issues at the end of this post.

Last words from us for today!

Just to say that here at GCS, we really hope that you have found some parts of this rough guide to staying well through lockdown  useful. Our apologies for the length of this post! Covid-19  can  impact in so many different ways and whilst we’ve covered a few we’ll undoubtedly have missed some too.

In doing our research we stumbled upon this image which says very simply many of our sentiments right now so we wanted to share that with you. We would however add that for us in this instance the less is most definitely more! 🙂

We hope that you stay safe and well throughout this challenging time- with much love GCS

Some useful resources to stay safe and well in lockdown

Support for relationships or abuse during lockdown

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline  is 24/7 service is for women experiencing domestic abuse. They are contactable either by this freephone number 0808 2000 247 or online.

For male survivors  of domestic abuse contact The Men’s Advice Line .They are open 9am-8pm Mondays and Wednesdays and then (am-5pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for a webchat or freephone please call 0808 801 0327.

Relate are an organisation who provide support to anyone experiencing problems in their relationship across the board. To find out more and where you nearest office is, please visit their website.

Childline is a great organisation that offers support to children who are experiencing problems, whatever the problem may be. They are currently open  7 days a week from 9am till midnight, please call 0800 1111 or visit their website.

For support with your emotional wellbeing and mental health during lockdown

Mind are a nationwide charity organisation who offer a wealth of advice and diverse services to support people who are struggling with their emotional wellbeing or  mental health. You can call them on 0300 123 3393, Monday to Friday 9am-6pm. Text them on 86463 or email them on [email protected]. For more info, visit their website here.

The Samaritans are still open 24/7 every day and they are there to listen to whatever it is that’s affecting how you’re feeling, call 116 123

CALM aka Campaign Against Living Miserably are open 5pm till midnight every day of the year. They are there to support you when you are feeling low, whatever the issue may be call 0800 58 58 58 or visit their website.

If you’re  not feeling up to talking, Shout offer a free text service to anyone who feels like they’re in crisis and need immediate support. Just text SHOUT to 85258  to get support from a trained volunteer via texts, or visit their website for more info.

Tragically, there has been an increase in the amount of suicides happening in the UK since the start of the pandemic. Please ask for help- please don’t wait till you are so low that you feel like there’s no other options. If you feel you are at risk of seriously harming yourself please use one of the above resources or you can contact 999.

If you are struggling with an addiction in lockdown

Gambling. We are Gambling Counselling Services LTD aka (GCS). GCS are a private organisation who offer counselling and support to anyone struggling to control their gambling. We can also help people who are affected by someone else’s gambling addiction.

Please visit our website or if you would like more info or advice please click here or email us at [email protected] We offer a free initial consultation via telephone or video call. Following this we can either provide ongoing support or link you in with other organisations who may also be able to help.

Gordon Moody House provide residential rehabilitation programmes for people who struggling with their gambling. They have also developed a great app called The Gambling Therapy App. It’s a great way to access relevant information and tools to help you regain control.

Alcohol Misuse. Drink Aware are a really good starting point if you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, please visit their website here for more information and support tools.

They also offer a free, confidential helpline  0300 123 1110  which is open weekdays from 9am–8pm and weekends from 11am–4pm.

Drug Misuse. Whether you are worried about your own drug use or struggling with someone else’s habit Frank are a national organisation who can provide you  info, advice and signpost you to more local support that you can get further help from. Please visit their website here

Their helpline is 0300 123 6600 and is available for drug misusers, their families, friends, carers to access advice and support. (Formerly known as the National Drugs Helpline) 24/7 every day of the week.

For your physical health during lockdown.

A call to your GP surgery will usually be you first port of call however if you feel like you have a non urgent medical issue or want health information or advice when your surgery isn’t available please visit nhs.uk or contact 111.

In the case of any emergency,  please call 999. It has been reported that people with potentially life threatening symptoms are not calling emergency services. Please do, hospitals have the facilities to look after you and give you the care you need safely.

For financial issues throughout lockdown

Money and debt. If you are struggling financially Step Change are an organisation who offer a  free support and advice service and with options specific to best meet your individual circumstances.

You can access their support either online via their website here or by calling 0800 138 1111 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. However due to the increase in demand at this time they have some restrictions to their call service and it may be difficult to get through, please visit their website for more info about this.

Housing. If you are worried about becoming homeless or are homeless Shelter are a free support agency who can give you advice at this time. For more general worries you may be having, please visit their website here to find out the contact number of your most local office to get advice.

If you have nowhere to sleep, or might be homeless soon, or if you have somewhere to sleep, but nowhere to call home or if you are or could be at risk of harm you can call their urgent helpline. It is open 8am-8pm weekdays and 9am-5pm over the weekend. The number is 0808 800 4444 but please only use this number in the situations specified here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Social Media and Gambling – A growing concern

 

Social Media – where it all began

How strongly are gambling and social media linked in today’s society? Let’s begin by exploring social media. In its true form, social media has been around for approximately 40 years. One of the first social media sites which appeared in 1979 was ‘Usenet’ which had the most basic of functions, ‘in comparison to today’s social media platforms’. It allowed users to post news to newsgroups.

Throughout the decades, there have been a number of social media platforms developed and launched. Some were successful,  including ‘Six Degrees’ in the early days. Whereas in more recent years, ‘Facebook’, ‘Twitter’ and ‘Linkedin’ have become a bit of a household name to most.

Of course, this was not always the case. When social media launched in the USA around 14 years ago. It seemed of little interest to people with only 5% of the population using it and the rest of the world hadn’t a clue about it, ‘this was partly due to people’s lack of internet access’.

Another – Sign of the Times 

It’s incredible just how quickly this thing called ‘social media’ has infiltrated the lives of billions of people in such a short space of time. It has changed the way we do pretty much everything and I imagine for some of you, more likely the younger generation, you cannot remember a time before social media?

 

Social media continues to be an integral part of our lives. We use it on a daily basis, whether connecting with friends and family, play games or to access the news from around the globe.

It has evolved at such a rapid pace that its functionality has quickly expanded to allow us to do so much more in recent years. Overall and perhaps, most importantly, it is there for us to entertain ourselves. There are around 2.6 billion people globally, who use social media in today’s society.

Initially, ‘Facebook’ was created to ‘make the world more connected.’  One of its mission statements is that –

People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family. To discover what’s going on in the world, and share and express what matters to them’. https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com

Social Media – A Big Business

Nowadays, we have access to a continual stream of news, updates and information from people around the world. Platforms can provide us with an insight into the lives of some of the worlds most famous and influential people whether in business or the world of entertainment.

As mentioned above, just over a decade ago this wouldn’t have been conceivable.

This phenomenon called ‘social media’ has had an enormous impact on how businesses in all industries, have been able to construct their audiences. Prior to setting up GCS, I would honestly admit, as I am sure my business partner would agree, that I was a bit of a social media recluse. However, I soon came to realise its importance in the world of business. In 2018 the top 4 industries which dominated social media included Hospitality, Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical and finally the Finance industry. http://www.adweek.com

Social Media & Gambling

The Gambling Commission reported in May of 2019 that 14.5 billion was the gross gambling yield (GGY) of the Great Britain gambling industry (Oct 17-Sept 18). This was an overall decrease of 0.4% from figures reported in the previous year (Apr 17-Mar 18). However, the figures show that there was a 2.9% increase of GGY within the remote sector amounting to 5.6 billion. http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk

Gambling and Social Media groups – Online gambling innovations are really gathering pace, as gaming, gambling and social media can be so interlinked which comes under the umbrella term of “social gaming”.

Facebook gaming is a huge business with companies like Zynga getting millions from selling virtual rewards and in-game features. Slotamania is one of the most popular facebook gambling games and has approximately 40 million players from around the world. There is a real social aspect to these games which allows players to see which of there friends are members and regularly suggests that the player can send gifts or make contact with other users. This can sometimes lead to individuals developing social media groups specifically linked to gambling. These groups can have thousands of users and people often share gambling tips, reviews knowledge and news. To my knowledge, there are no restrictions on who can join the group which is increasingly worrying when we look at how many people of all ages who access social media and are problem gamblers or at risk of developing a gambling problem.

The Remote Sector

What is the remote sector or remote gambling? In lamens terms:- The remote sector can include anything from remote betting, bingo and the casino sector. ‘Remote gambling’ is defined as gambling in which persons participate in the use of ‘remote communication’. This definition includes the internet, telephone, television or radio and ‘any of electronic or other technology for facilitating communication’.

 

Gambling – A Public Health Concern

Research and studies highlight quite clearly that gambling and its related harms are becoming more prevalent in today’s society. Social media has grown at a phenomenal pace and problem gambling is an ever-increasing concern.

Problem gambling is a growing epidemic which continues to affect millions of individuals of all ages in the UK and globally.

The frequency and styles of gambling have changed significantly in recent years. There is much easier access to the internet for young and old alike.

The Gambling Commission completed a study in November 2018. This reported that 14% of 11-16 ear olds gambled in the week prior to completing the study totalling 450,000 children. Consider for a moment that these are the children who took part, what about the children who didn’t?

Please take a moment to absorb the above information… now think about the existing 450,000 reported cases of adult problem gamblers in the UK and how social media is influencing our youth.

My question is ‘What does the future hold’?

https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/survey-data/Young-People-and-Gambling-2018-Report.pdf

If you are worried about your gambling or someone else’s gambling and how it’s affecting you, we can help.

 

Your views are always welcome. Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and look out for another upcoming article on Gambling and Mental Health.

 

 

Gambling in the Workplace-A Social “Norm”?

Where it starts…

Thinking about gambling in the workplace as a social norm, let’s look back to see how this can happen…

It’s funny how we can trick ourselves into believing that because everyone else is doing something, then it must be okay!! I think that thought starts at quite a young age. Often as a kid, after a good ticking off, I would say “That’s not fair, all my friends do it”. My parent’s typical response was, “If your friends decided to jump off a cliff, would you do that too?” When I could, I would delight in saying, “You do it, so why can’t I?”

Sad but true, as a very young teen I smoked, I would watch a film or TV programme and some cool character would light up a cigarette and blow out plumes of smoke. Mahoosive trigger for me!! Nine times out of ten, shortly thereafter, I would pelt up to the bathroom have a quick puff and then frantically flap a towel about to get rid of the smoke. My parents smoked, so when I did sometimes get caught red-handed, the above would be my retort. (I was a bit of a  rebellious child!)

How it develops….

So we can think it’s okay to do things if the people around us are doing the same thing. We might then do whatever that may be, often without questioning whether it’s actually any good for us. We sometimes continue the activity despite being told or knowing that it’s actually bad for us. Whatever that thing is, this becomes the norm for us!

Activities often follow trends. The liquid lunch (still a given in some working cultures) is often slightly more frowned upon in some workplaces today. Cocaine became more prominent as a discreet substitute to the latter in the 80’s and 90’s. Still going on by many accounts: in some industries currently, alongside cocaine, the use of amphetamine and prescribed drugs like codeine phosphate is rife. This can lead to a reliance on substances to get through the working day.

Following on from that….

Gambling is currently the fastest growing addiction not just in the UK but also globally. Here in the UK that very scarily applies to children too. There are over 430, 000 known problematic gamblers in the UK and an estimated  3000, 000 more people at risk of becoming so. In actuality, the real figure of the latter is likely to be a lot higher as problematic gambling remains a very hidden addiction.

And now it seems that gambling is also happening in the workplace today. In fact, gambling has been a feature in the workplace for many years. Whether that’s a works’ outing to horse or dog races, nights out at the Casino or in house pools/consortiums for certain events, like football, the X Factor or Strictly.

What are contributing factors for gambling in the workplace becoming the new social norm….

The advancement of technology  in terms of gambling means that we can now do that 24/7. Most people now have smartphones and/or tablets with any amount of clever apps. This means they can gamble at home on the go and yes very definitely at work. In some industries, gambling forms part of the work culture. Colleagues chat about what they’re going to bet on, give tips, share good odds. As such it becomes something they have in common and builds their relationships.

The volume of advertisements related to gambling and the increase of gambling sponsorships in sport all culminate in making gambling seem part of our daily culture. When all your mates are doing the same thing, sometimes it’s difficult to spot when gambling is turning into a problem. Problem gambling potentially has hugely negative impacts for the person gambling, their family, friends, colleagues and employers.

Is this ringing any bells for you?

Are you worried about your own gambling behaviour?

Has gambling become the new social norm in your workplace?

We love to hear from you, let us know your thoughts, connect with us on LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter,

The links between Problem Gambling & Football

The History of Gambling – A brief glimpse

Gambling and football have always experienced a close-knit relationship and this article looks more closely at the links and how one influences the other and the impacts this has on the increase in problem gambling.

Firstly, let’s look more closely at the history of gambling which has been around for hundreds if not thousands of years in some form or another. The first casino or gambling house appeared in Italy in the 17th century. As gambling evolved throughout society, it became regulated resulting in more controlled gambling establishments popping up throughout the world.

Gambling was of interest to both the poor and wealthy. A poor man living in the slums of London could win some ‘ quick’ cash on a card game, rapidly leaving the slums to pastures new. Whereas the wealthy man could stake all of his money on betting, resulting in him having to move into the newly vacant slum.

In the 18th century, gambling and gin were the main ‘vices’ in London. The gambling clubs were renamed ‘hells’ and the gambling slums ‘lower hells’.

The History of Football and Gambling – Where it all began

Football has always enjoyed a close relationship with the gambling industry, from the modern-day to times gone past. Gambling was first legalised in the 1960s. Football pools were a very popular way to have a go at winning some money. I recall playing ‘spot the ball’ as a child. The fact that I was gambling did not cross my young mind. It was more about guessing right, which I don’t think I ever did.

Due to the changes in legislation, betting shops opened up in abundance. This resulted in the style of gambling changing also and not just being limited to pool betting. Throughout the 1990s, football betting started stepping out of the shadows and entered the mainstream due to the increased exposure that football had. Subsequently, opening the market to millions of new customers.

Sky Sports were the first company to buy the rights to screen Premier League fixtures. This was pivotal for football both for viewings and the financial gains. However, BT Sport soon jumped on the bandwagon followed more recently by Amazon winning a deal to ‘live stream’ exclusive coverage. The joint venture amounted to billions. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/b542778d-871f-4716-abfb-0afb91fa7770  Research in recent years has highlighted the seriousness of gambling within the sporting world, specifically football.

How the Gambling Industry is influencing our ‘National Sport’

In today’s society, football is the most popular sport in the UK and considered its ‘national sport’. Anyone who is a fan of football (or not being the case), knows that gambling is an important and increasingly worrying part of today’s game. As we know, gambling has been around for centuries and throughout understandably, has had its problems.

The gambling industry is much more prominent in its role within football than ever before from sponsorships to advertising. There are growing concerns about the high percentage of clubs (approx 60%) in England’s top two divisions having the names of gambling establishments on their shirts. Furthermore, football clubs being named after online gambling sites. (bet365 formerly known as Stoke City FC).

Bookmakers, betting sites and online casinos are continuing to invest billions of pounds into football. The relationship between football and the gambling industry continues to grow rapidly when in actual fact, the relationship between football, it’s players, followers and the links to problematic gambling continue to grow at an alarmingly faster pace.

A Real Problem

Recently, the former midfielder Paul Merson talked candidly about his gambling addiction to Suzanna Reid and Piers Morgan on GMTV.  Paul talked about the financial losses of gambling and how he lost millions due to his addiction. He talked about being addicted to other substances also but said that his gambling issues were much ‘worse’. https://www.itv.com/search?q=paul+merson

As identified above, there is clear evidence that the gambling industry is central in today’s game. The relationship between gambling and football(ers) is a historical problem. However, currently, more and more people are coming forward and talking about their issues.

When interviewed anonymously, some top premier league team players admitted to gambling before a match to alleviate their boredom. They said ‘that when they lost a bet, this could have a negative effect on their performance during the game’. Some players admitted that when they gambled and lost before a match, this would affect their mood and they could underperform which would affect other team players during the match. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/gambling-in-football-premier-league-players-underperform-due-to-betting-habits-research-finds-a6971936.html

Time for Change

Recent research shows that problem gambling is on the increase with more than 480,000 known problematic gamblers in the UK.

However, are the above figures a true reflection of the extent of the problem? The Gambling Commission reported a staggering two million people being addicted to gambling, or at risk of developing a problem in 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/24/problem-gamblers-uk-gambling-commission-report

There’s a recognition that the links between football and the gambling industry have negative impacts whether directly or indirectly, on people from all walks of life.

Is it time for the gambling industry to finally take some responsibility and consider the person who is losing his or her job, house, relationship, or even mental well-being due to their gambling addiction and the ‘lack of restrictions’ in place that enables individuals to gamble their wages or even their houses away in one bet.

On a more positive note, awareness of the extent of the problem is growing and Sky Bet has invested one million into a responsible gambling education and awareness programme. This programme is for the players and staff from the  EFL clubs only.

On reflection and given the extent of the problem, ask yourself is there enough being done for the 480,000 problem gamblers in this country? The people who contribute towards the millions of pounds made in the gambling industry.

If you’re worried about your gambling or someone else gambling and how this may be affecting you, Click here.

Your views are always welcome, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and look out for another upcoming article on Gambling & Social Media – A growing concern.

The Worrying Incline of Online Gambling

I have worked for many years now counselling problem gamblers and the people around them also affected by their addiction. It has been really good in recent years to see the media highlighting problem gambling topics. It’s an issue we are incredibly passionate about knowing, first-hand, the profound and often devastating impact problematic gambling has on the  gambler and the people in their everyday life. The ripple effect of one person’s problematic gambling can go a very long way. The worrying incline of online gambling is only going to compound that.

Self-Exclusion – What’s the Conclusion?

Before

As we continue to strive to help people to manage when their gambling is becoming out of control, I wonder how we could improve self-exclusion, what’s the conclusion that could work more effectively.

Historically, when self-excluding from a street bookmaker you would typically have to go to a betting shop armed with passport photo’s. Far from ideal and not cheap at the best of times as each place required 2 of them!! Then, if lucky, you may have been able to self exclude from up to 7 bookies within each company. That varied depending on each companies policy and would usually be less. You would need to do this for each and every different company you used proving tiresome, humiliating and expensive and risky.