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In October 2020, Max Rushden was joined by Barry Glendenning and Philippe Auclair to examine the game’s ‘gamblification’. We hear from James Grimes, who was a gambling addict for 12 years, Rob Davies, the Guardian’s business reporter specialising in the gambling industry, and Brigid Simmonds, chair of the Betting and Gaming Council
A few weeks before this episode was recorded in October 2020, we discussed whether it was OK for someone in the media to accept work from a bookmaker. Lots of you got in touch – including someone who’s overcome a serious addiction and is still dealing with the consequences of it – but is helping others who have found themselves in the same situation.
On this pod we speak to him, as well as the Guardian’s gambling expert and the chair of the Betting and Gaming Council to find out what each of them think is right, and wrong, with the industry.
We talk about the increasing “gamblification” of football and asked whose responsibility it is to regulate the industry and help people who have become addicted.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this episode, the following resources are available:
- NHS help for problem gamblers
- NHS Northern Gambling Service
- In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or you can email jo@samaritans.org
- In the US the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255
- In Australia the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14.
- Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org
- The Big Step advocate for a public health approach to preventing gambling harm through our campaigning, education and awareness work.
- Gambling with Lives is a charity set up by bereaved families of young men who took their own life as a result of their gambling addiction.
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