A LEADING gambling support charity has issued a warning to people in Basingstoke that problem gamblers are facing particular vulnerabilities this year - likely to be exacerbated by the Christmas period.

One ex-gambler, turned advocate for gambling support, described Boxing Day as the “graveyard for compulsive gamblers” due to the volume of sporting and racing events, combined with other factors which can make winter a challenging time.

Speaking to the Gazette, a spokesperson for GamCare said: “Broadly, people who are struggling with gambling are using it either as a way to generate income or as an escape from another difficult circumstance that they haven’t faced up to yet. Essentially, gambling seems to be giving them something that they wouldn’t otherwise have so, as you can imagine, if there’s stress in family relationships,with money worries in the run up to Christmas, then if somebody is already vulnerable its likely to increase that vulnerability.

“As well as this year particularly, the impact that the pandemic will be having. When we looked at our data across the first national lockdown, we saw a steep dip in calls. Far fewer people were reaching out to us and we assumed that could be to do with issues around privacy. If somebody hasn’t spoken to their loved ones about what’s going on, they may not want to have that conversation in close quarters when they’re in lockdown with somebody.

“But also increased isolation, increased money worries, and increased boredom as well if someone’s on furlough and they have time on their hands. Those are all risk factors and we need to be aware of those, especially around this time of year as well.

Despite the dip in calls, the charity said the coronavirus pandemic led to a spike in harmful gambling behaviour.

“The Gambling Commission was tracking all the way through the pandemic engagement and participation, and those gamblers that we would say are most at risk, certainly during the first period of national lockdown were increasing the time and money that they were spending on gambling. If you’re gambling for longer and gambling with more money, then you’re losing the perspective and you’re heading along that kind of spectrum into addiction.”

In August 2019, Tony Parente from West Sussex appeared on BBC Panorama ‘Addicted to Gambling’ where he revealed he had spent half a million pounds in three months in cash in bookies, sometimes spending 50 or 60 thousand pounds a day.

His addiction cost him his family home, and in his own words led him to do “some very bad things” - namely stealing millions of pounds from business clients to fund his habit.

After pleading guilty to fraud and receiving a suspended sentence, Tony is now more than three years into recovery and devotes his life to helping others facing the struggle he did. A lot of this is through his social media influence (@tonyp_recovery on Twitter).

He told the Gazette that the Christmas period is particularly difficult.

“I heard someone talk about gambling on Boxing Day, saying it’s the ‘graveyard for compulsive gamblers',” he said.

“I agreed, its a day after Christmas most are off work, there’s are lots of big race meetings on, there’s lots of football matches on all day, it’s an opportunity to gamble on sports the day after Christmas day when shops are closed no racing or sports would be on. Some may say well its like that for me everyday and I would agree, but Christmas time was always a tough time.

“You’ve also got to think of people that are under pressure on Christmas. Maybe excess spending has happened. It’s things like that.”

For those trying to quit, the ‘New Year, New Me’ rhetoric can sometimes do more harm than good.

Tony said: “I’ve heard a lot, ‘I’m going to stop in January so let’s have one last blow-out’. Just like people with the gym - I’m going to start the gym in January so I’ll eat lots of cr*p at Christmas time.

Tony gambled for over 20 years. His first taste was at eight years old, picking horses with his Grandad.

A lot of his friends gambled, and when he was 16 he placed his first bet at a shop.

“Unfortunately for me, my first bet was a winner and that was it, I was instantly in love with it. I loved the feeling that it gave me,” he said.

“It took me to the brink of ending my life, and that scared me. That was my moment when I really admitted to myself that I couldn’t continue gambling, it was the moment I knew I had to stop and stop for good this time."

Tony got the help he needed and is now urging others to do the same.

“There is the support out there, for anyone that wants to get help, I don’t believe I could have stopped on my own. I thought I was the only one, and there’s a massive stigma attached to it, a lot of shame, a lot of guilt, but I met people that understood. I’ve met so many fantastic people who have helped me along the way."

“I now want to help other people realise that they are not alone and that their experience can help positive change not only for themselves but others too, that has helped keep me in recovery. I have a responsibility now to make sure that people are not harmed by gambling."

Warning of the Christmas flutters of temptation, he added: “I didn’t know from my first bet where that would take me, if I did I wouldn’t have done it. I am not anti gambling, I know that some people can enjoy a bet but I also know that it’s something very addictive and that can cause harm to so many, it can make someone take their own life, there is no harm greater than that.

“If you can share what you’re thinking that’s a big first step and the start. Try as much as you can because there’s different support out there and some might work for that individual and some might not but it will give some hope."

The GamCare spokesperson emphasised that there are steps you can take if you’re worried that you or someone you care about is at risk of harmful gambling behaviour:

  • Monitor your moods: “It’s important to be aware of the circumstances in which you’re gambling as well as what you’re gambling on. So be aware of how you’re feeling before you start, because if you’re feeling angry or upset before you start gambling it’s not likely to make you feel any better, and in fact could make it worse.
  • Don’t do it alone: “If you’re gambling away from other people as well, so without telling anybody, without talking about it, that would be a warning sign. If you’re keen to hide it then that’s an alarm bell to say something might be wrong there. Gambling in essence should be a social activity.”
  • Seek support: “I just think it’s incredibly important for people to know that help is available around the clock, whenever they want to talk.It’s simple to do - just one call will set you up on that recovery journey and support you all the way.The first step is opening up that conversation, be that with your loved ones, be it with us. First port of call if you do need some guidance and support, national gambling helping is available every day of the year. We’re 24 hours, live chat and over the phone."

“There is no worry too small, no worry too big.The earlier you can voice those concerns, the earlier we can help. We’d rather it just be a quick chat with us, and to get some support, than it get to a crisis point.”

GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline, providing information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. Advisers are available 24 hours a day on Freephone 0808 8020 133 or via web chat at www.gamcare.org.uk.