Gambling Information

The Lottery in London, Scratch Cards in Sunderland, Greyhounds in Grimsby, Fruit Machines in Felixstowe, Casinos in Chester, Horse Racing at Aintree, Bingo in Blackpool, Football Pools, wherever you are - we could go on.  The point is, there are many, many ways and places where we can Gamble today. With technology changing as quickly as it is, we can even take part in each of these activities from the comfort of our own homes, through the Internet or Interactive Television, or just by picking up the Telephone.

Sounds exciting doesn't it? It can be, but for those people who lose control there can be devastating effects.

What is Gambling?

Actually there is no single, clear cut definition of what Gambling is but it is widely agreed that:

Two or more people agree to take part in the activity (usually an operator and the person who wishes to Gamble)
Normally money (the 'stake') is paid by the Loser to the Winner
The outcome is uncertain
The result is determined (partly) by chance
Participation is an active experience but can be avoided by not taking part.

A brief history

2000 BC Egyptians used knucklebones as four sided Dice
1500 BC in China, spinning discs were used to play an early Roulette game
210 AD the first recorded Horse Race took place in England
1588 the first Lottery was approved in Britain by Elizabeth I to raise money to repair the Cinque Ports
1895 Charles Fey, a mechanic from San Francisco produced the first Slot Machine, or Bandit.
1906 Gambling in public was prohibited by the Street Betting Act
1926 the first Greyhound Race in Britain was held in Manchester
1926 Winston Churchill imposed a Betting Tax (abolished three years later)
1960 the Betting and Gaming Act legalised Betting Shops in Britain. Before this there was widespread Illegal Gambling
1964 Gamblers Anonymous was founded in the UK (having originated in America)
1994 the National Lottery was launched
1995 Lottery Scratchcards were introduced
1996 for the first time Betting Shops were allowed to have (a maximum of two) Fruit Machines, or Bandits

 

Signs and Symptoms of a gambling problem

If Gambling is having a Negative effect on your Life, this is a clear indication that it is a Problem. An early warning sign for the Gambler may be an experience of Euphoria in the event of Winning (often accompanied by an urge to Win more) and an increasing Low when Losing. The cycle usually begins when the Gambler begins chasing the perceived Loss.

Those around the Gambler may experience subtle changes such as Mood Swings or more disturbing indications i.e. increased Demands for Cash or Social Withdrawal. This can be quite frightening for both parties. It’s normal and often appropriate to feel Anxiety around these issues as this is often the catalyst for dealing with the problem pro-actively.

Some more signs that might indicate problem Gambling may include:

Mounting Debt
Increased Borrowing
More time spent away from usual activities, i.e. Family Time, Hobbies, Homework.
Preventing others from retrieving post/mail such as Bank Statements / Telephone Bills
Sporadic Generosity.
Selling of Possessions
Criminal Activity

Physical and emotional symptoms may include:

Loss of Motivation
Increased Lack of Concentration
Weight Loss
Insomnia
Unusual Aggression or Extreme Elation
Depression and Anxiety

Why do we gamble?

The motivation to Gamble
We all understand that Gambling offers the chance of winning Money or Prizes, but have you considered some of the other reasons why people might choose to Gamble?

Risk taking

It is human nature to feel Excited when taking Risks and the positive feeling gained from Gambling is no different. "Will my Numbers Come Up?" "Will my Team Win?" The sense of anticipation creates a natural high, an Adrenalin Rush, a feeling that very many of us seek when looking for fun and Entertainment. A feeling that some people believe they cannot live without.

Escapism

The Gambling Environment can provide an Escape from everyday life. Whether it be the glitzy Casino Environment, a loud and exciting Amusement Arcade or even an Online Betting Company, for the time that we are taking part we can be surrounded by different people, different sounds and emotions, all of which Stimulate and Arouse our Senses.

Glamorous

The Media and advertising often portray a Stylish, Sexy, Fashionable Image of Gambling. In film and TV we see characters enjoying a night at the Casino or an afternoon at the Races. There is often a suggestion of 'High Society' and attending at 'a place to be seen'.

Social

Gambling is accepted as part of this country's Culture and as such is widely participated in (with varying frequency) by the majority of the population. Some young people are introduced to Gambling by learning to Play Card Games with their Parents at home, maybe we go the Bingo with friends on a Friday night or meet after School at the Amusement Arcade.

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