As new GambleAware data warns that 75% of people experiencing gambling problems feel they can’t open up to loved ones, the charity is joining forces with a coalition of partners and TV and radio presenter, Tyler West, to launch a campaign to reduce the stigma faced by those who experience gambling harms and challenge societal perceptions of the issue.
One in four of us think we know someone who has experienced problems with their gambling, but three in five (61%) are put off talking to them about it due to concerns around stigma. Associate Professor, Dr Joanne Lloyd outlines the psychological implications of stigma, offering an expert view on why society must acknowledge gambling harms as a public health issue. He spoke to Asian Voice about it.
What kind of help and support do you think someone needs to overcome this gambling addiction?
Dr Joanne Lloyd said, “Whether it’s a family member or a friend, being able to open up to someone about what you’re going through without being afraid of being judged is so important. By finding comfort in them, you can feel more encouraged to seek professional help if needed. Alternatively, some people might find it easier to open up to a professional, in confidence, if they are finding it difficult to speak to those who they are close to.
“You can search GambleAware or contact the National Gambling Helpline, available 24/7, on 0808 8020 133, for free and confidential advice, tools and support. Ensuring you find the right support if you are concerned about your gambling is critical and can play a huge role in stopping someone from developing a gambling disorder. No matter how you’re feeling, there’s help available from The National Gambling Support Network. This is a group of organisations across Great Britain who provide free, confidential and personalised support for anyone who’s experiencing problems from gambling, as well as those affected by someone else’s gambling.”
Devesh Trivedi’s (on an anonymous basis only), a middle-aged Londoner of South Asian descent, relationship with gambling began almost as soon as he arrived in the UK from India. He gambled through the bookies, casinos and later his phone. Over the past 15 years, Devesh lost large sums of money and began to experience suicidal ideation and even attempted suicide twice. He explains that in India, gambling is taboo and he felt great shame when seeking help. Devesh has been in recovery since 2020 and is now involved in several groups and organisations; he feels no longer in denial about his gambling problem and is keen to help people who share his cultural background and the associated stigma with speaking out. Do let us know if you would be interested in speaking to him. He spoke to Asian Voice about it.
What do you think should be done within South Asian communities such that more people do not fall prey to this?
Devesh: Unfortunately, we know that the topic of gambling is very taboo within South Asian communities, which means it’s more difficult for people suffering from gambling harm to seek help. People gambling and experiencing gambling harm can often feel a lot of shame and don’t feel like they can talk to anyone about what they’re going through. Religion makes it even more challenging for people to open up about their experiences, as Islam, for example, bans gambling. I had a hard time myself talking about what I was going through, mostly due to the societal perceptions about gambling – gambling is illegal in India, so when I tried speaking about it to my family, the first thing they noted was the illegal activity I was partaking in, and how I shouldn’t tell anyone about it. One of the main reasons I chose to support this campaign is to raise awareness around this issue within my community and help tackle the stigma around it.
Another big challenge for South Asian communities in the UK is the language barrier – most of the GA meetings are in English, which will often be inconvenient for people from South Asian backgrounds. Access to GA meetings itself is difficult – compared to the number of bookies available on a high street, GA meetings are few far few, making it harder for people experiencing gambling harms to seek help and support. There are however many groups and organisations that cater to people from South Asian backgrounds and that provide invaluable support, which has been a huge help to me and many others from that community.
I want to call on anyone experiencing gambling harm or who knows someone going through that to not be afraid to open up a conversation about it. It has to start within the community, with friends and families, for the stigma and shame associated with gambling to start breaking down.
How did you overcome your issues? What do you think could have been better?
Devesh: My biggest supporters were my family and loved ones – I owe a lot to them and would not have been able to get to this stage without them. I really cannot stress enough how helpful it is to talk to your loved ones about the problems you’re experiencing – although it may seem difficult and challenging, that first step of communicating with them will help you get closer to recovery. More awareness around gambling harms is needed within South Asian communities, and I strongly believe that talking about it more will help with that and will start breaking down the stigma associated with gambling.
I would also call for stronger affordability checks. When I was gambling, my bank would send me several emails checking if I was okay spending significant amounts of money, and I would of course say yes and not hesitate. There need to be stricter regulations around that, to ensure vulnerable people aren’t spending money they can’t afford to lose.
How can one work towards healing without carrying the baggage and shame of being a gambler?
Devesh: There’s still so much guilt and stigma around gambling, especially within the South Asian community, which makes this an ongoing issue for people suffering from gambling harm.
The hardest step a person has to take is acknowledging the problem. I know it took me years to get to a place where I was no longer in denial, but I can confidently say that once I got to that stage, asking for help became easier. I have been in recovery since 2020 and want to help as many people as I can from my community by speaking out.
I would encourage anyone suffering from gambling harm to lean on someone they trust for help. It can be as simple as starting conversations with loved ones, seeking professional support or going to organisations and groups that can help – by opening up about your experience, you are getting one step closer to recovery.
