Almost half of UK bettors say going into debt is the only reason they would open up about a betting issue

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Analysis reveals that 47% of bettors say that it would take going into debt to finally open up about their betting issues, with a further 1 in 3 (30%) admitting to waiting until after a big loss to open up about their betting habits

Over one in three (34%) of UK sports bettors would rather lose money on a bet than ask for help from friends or a professional

Nearly a quarter (24%) would also have to lose up to £100 a week before considering professional help, while almost 1 in 5 (18%) would have to lose up to £500 a week before considering this.

49% of Brits have downplayed their sports betting habits to protect their reputation.

After the report found that 1 in 3 UK (32%) sports bettors currently feel uncomfortable when asking for betting advice, the study looked at what the main stigmas are in the UK of asking for help when gambling.

Almost half (49%) of Brits have downplayed their sports betting habits to protect their reputation, with almost 1 in 5 (18%) Brits having hidden how much they spend on sports betting to protect their reputation

Less than one in five sports bettors are comfortable talking to a therapist about their betting habits

Discussing betting habits can play a key role in maintaining both financial stability and mental well-being.

New research has revealed that less than one in five sports bettors in the UK feel comfortable talking to a therapist about their betting habits. When it comes to seeking help, UK sports bettors are far more likely to turn to a close friend (37%) than to an online support service (18%).

In fact, just one in eight (12%) would feel comfortable reaching out to a GP or mental health professional.

A conversation with Liz Karter MBE, a leading UK therapist in gambling addiction

As part of the research for Safer Gambling Week, AskGamblers has teamed up with one of the UK’s leading therapists specialising in gambling addiction, Liz Karter MBE.

Featuring on AskGamblers Talks, Karter will take part in a six-part series with those who are unable to seek support, offering help from the comfort of their own homes within their ultimate safe space. It will include Karter answering real, anonymous questions from bettors, offering expert advice on opening up, and staying in control — a key focus of this year’s awareness week.

Commenting on the findings, Liz Karter MBE, said: “Lots of people find that overall their pattern of gambling can be ok, but then they have times when they might describe it as going on a bit of a binge. In some cases, somebody might have been gambling for 5, 10, 20 years or more, so when they stop gambling there is a very real withdrawal.

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