Buying the odd lottery ticket or placing a bet on your favourite football team every now and then can provide a bit of excitement and adrenaline in your life. But for some people, gambling can get out of control and cause chaos in their lives.

This week, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued new guidance that recommends GPs and other healthcare professionals in England help identify potential problem gambling in patients.

The guidance says they should keep an eye out for “gambling-related harms”, including the patient’s health, finances and the people around them.

Gambling is a very popular pastime in the UK, with the Gambling Commission estimating that around 22.5 million adults gambled in 2021. But, for an estimated 2.5% of adults, “problem gambling” is a challenge.

A survey of 10,000 carried out by the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) in 2024 found that the scale of harm caused by gambling could be eight times greater than previously thought.

Among those who had gambled in the year preceding the survey results, more than one in 40 said they experienced severe harm to their life due to gambling, such as turning to crime to fuel their habit or experiencing the breakdown of a relationship, or even losing their home.

Adam Bradford, co-founder and CEO of the Safer Online Gambling Group charity, supports the new NICE guidelines for GPs. He told Yahoo UK: “Gambling addiction is often a hidden problem which has barely any physical signs.

“Giving GPs the tools to be able to spot signals which could be caused by a problem with gambling would really help. Depression, anxiety, social withdrawal and other harder to spot signs can point towards a problem with betting which can often go undetected.

“This way, people can be referred for specialist support earlier and an addiction can be stemmed before it worsens.”

Signs of gambling addiction

If you are concerned about your gambling, you may be wondering if you have a problem. According to the Mental Health Foundation, these are some of the tell-tale signs you may have a gambling problem:

• Spend more money on gambling than you can afford

• Gamble when you should be doing something else, like working or spending time with family

• Feel anxious or stressed about your gambling

• Use gambling to deal with problems or difficult feelings

• Lie to family and friends about your gambling

• Borrow or steal to fund your gambling

Being addicted to gambling may also manifest in some physical symptoms, according to the Priory Group. These can include anxiety, irritability, headaches, stomach upsets, and stress-related symptoms.

Questions to ask yourself

The NHS recommends answering these questions if you are unsure if gambling is causing problems for you:

1. Do you bet more than you can afford to lose?

2. Do you need to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling?

3. Have you tried to win back money you have lost (chasing losses)?

4. Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?

5. Have you wondered whether you have a problem with gambling?

6. Has your gambling caused you any health problems, including feelings of stress or anxiety?

7. Have other people criticised your betting or told you that you had a problem with gambling (regardless of whether or not you thought it was true)?

8. Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?

9. Have you ever felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?

Each “never” answer earns you a score of 0. Each “sometimes” answer earns you a score of 1. Each “most of the time” answer earns you a score of 2. Each “almost always” answer earns you a score of 3.

If your total score is eight or higher, then you or those close to you are likely to be experiencing gambling-related harms. A total score between one to zero may suggest gambling is still having a negative impact on your life.

Where can I get help?

There are a number of support groups and treatments you can turn to if you want help with the problems gambling is causing you, or if you want to reduce or stop your gambling altogether.

NHS gambling clinics

These offer a team of psychiatrists and psychologists who can treat you and support you in your recovery. You can self-refer to a gambling clinic near you or ask a GP for information on services in your area.

Charities and support groups

Help is available through charities and support groups, which can offer free and confidential support.

• The National Gambling Helpline is available on 0909 8020 133 for free 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• GambleAware runs the National Gambling Support Network service.

• Primary Care Gambling Service provides support for gambling-related harms.

• Gamblers Anonymous is a local support group service that uses the 12-step approach to recovery

• ChapterOne is a charity that provides advice and support.

Watch: ‘We have somehow normalised gambling’

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