Gambling awareness
Transport for London’s Daniel Ruggirello discusses the work being done by its Drug and Alcohol Assessment and Treatment Service to raise awareness of harmful gambling and help those in need.
The UK has an age-old relationship with gambling, whether it be in top hat and tails at a prestigious horse racing event, a small stake on a game of pool in the local pub, or the National Lottery. Gambling has long been a social event that involves camaraderie and good times. But with the advent of the internet, the face of gambling in the UK has changed, with access now discreet and round-the-clock.
Aside from social or recreational gambling, there are other more concerning reasons that people gamble. It could be a response to stress, a distraction, or a coping strategy. Gambling can provide excitement from the ‘big win’ or result in chasing losses. This can all have negative impacts on those gambling, and more severe gambling harms include high rates of mental health issues, alcohol use, or substance misuse. One charity estimates that there is one suicide per day in the UK as a direct result of gambling harm. The graphic, from the National Gambling Support Network, shows the different levels of gambling, from ‘in control’ to ‘problematic’.
How can the transport industry move with the times to raise awareness and offer appropriate signposting and support to those seeking help?
TfL’s Drug and Alcohol Assessment and Treatment Service (DAATS) offers support and treatment for alcohol and substance misuse and will now include gambling support. Our support is based around raising awareness, including training for management teams and medical staff, and collaborating with GamCare to develop a clear referral pathway into comprehensive support for TfL employees.
We’re aware that gambling is part of our society in much the same way as alcohol, yet conversations regarding gambling harm are not frequent enough for the scale of the present issue. The DAATS and Occupational Health teams have now embedded a gambling trigger question in many of their assessments and appointments to invite open and supportive conversations with staff.
Gambling can be a harmful addiction and needs to be treated as such when necessary. You can refer people to GamCare and other gambling support providers. The NHS also has a bank of advice to help people. But the first thing you can do is ask yourself, or someone else, that one trigger question: Has your gambling or the gambling of someone close to you had a negative impact on your life? If the answer is yes, please seek support. An honest answer could start a journey on the road to recovery.
Freephone 24-7 National Gambling Helpline
GambleAware
The NHS