Salvation Army Problem Gambling

In a statement, The Salvation Army said, however, 'Given that this study was conducted in advance of the implementation of the Gambling Act 2005, it does little to alleviate The Salvation Army's concerns that problem gambling could rise over time with increasing gambling opportunities and stimulated demand.

  1. The Salvation Army has campaigned on the issue of gambling for more than 10 years. We hold regular meetings with government ministers on this issue and sit on the Gambling Commission's community liaison group.
  2. 'The bigger concern is the overseas gambling websites where there's no regulation, which are potentially the biggest problem for us.' The Salvation Army was also encouraging anyone needing support.

Andy, 37, lost his home, friends and partner, due to his addiction to gambling machines. He was unable to get a job due to his addiction after he was made redundant two years ago.

He first played on a fruit machine at the age of 17 when he won £200. He said: “One big win led me to spend thousands of pounds on gambling machines. I think over the last 20 years I have lost about £30,000 to £35,000 on the machines. I would put £10 in, then it went up to £20, and then £50. When I lost my job due to redundancy as an agency worker two years ago I lied about working night shifts.

Games

“I lied to my partner, to my friends, and I would gamble any money I had in the hope I could make it right again. I started lying about every aspect of my life. I couldn’t get myself into the frame of mind to be able to get a job.

“I was just focused on chasing my losses in the hope of a big win.”

In March last year things came to a head for Andy, after his relationship with his partner broke down due to her constantly needing to bail him out. He ended up homeless, and decided to end his life by stopping to take the insulin he needed, to treat his type one diabetes.

He said: “My lowest point was when I split up with my partner and the only thing I could control was my insulin. I stopped taking it and the doctor said within five or six hours I would have been dead.”

[Statement: Government announcement on gambling]

This attempt to take his life saw him end up at the Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital and he eventually found himself at The Salvation Army’s City Road Lifehouse in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The

Salvation Army helped Andy get on to a 24-session NECA course (a charity working with people with addictions). It was recommended that he get himself banned from the betting shops as a self-exclusion measure, as well as changing walking routes to avoid areas with betting shops.

He said: “Self-exclusion works if you’re further down the line and are committed to changing.

Salvation Army Problem Gambling Rules

“You have to take your photo into the bookies and ask them to ban you. But it wouldn’t have helped me until I got to that point of wanting to recover because I wouldn’t have wanted anything to stop the possibility of my being able to access the machines. There are dozens and dozens of bookies in Newcastle alone, and they all have four machines in. All the time I was in the bookies you see people breaking down, shouting at the machines.”

Problem

Andy has now moved out of the Lifehouse and into a Salvation Army flat although he still has support from the Lifehouse. He is now looking to move into independent living accommodation.

Salvation army problem gambling winnings

Andy is back with his partner but accepts he can’t change the past - he won’t be able to win back the money he’s lost.

For interviews, please contact: Sophie Docker, Media Office, The Salvation Army: 0207 367 4517/0203 657 7555 or email: media@salvationarmy.org.uk

Salvation Army Problem Gambling Addiction

In 1954, Colonel (Dr) A. Bramwell Cook was appointed Chief Secretary after nearly 25 years of medical missionary service in India. He became deeply interested in the medical aspects of alcoholism. He was one of the founders of the National Society on Alcoholism, and was asked to be a member of the Government coordinating Council on the subject.

In 1959, Cook, along with Captain Robert McCallum, proved in a government-sponsored conference on alcoholism to have active and up-to-date methods of tackling alcoholism, and so established a residential clinic in Wellington called 'The Bridge'.

Salvation Army Problem Gambling

Salvation Army Problem Gambling Games

From the experience gained through the Wellington Bridge, a nationwide Bridge Programme was developed, officially recognised under the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966. These comprised of an extensive network of clinics, hostels, and rehabilitation centres.

By the 1980s there were nearly seven hundred alcoholics passing through the programme annually. The programme at that time was run with a one-size-fits-all style. However, it soon became evident that multiple addictions, dual diagnosis and a reduction in the ages of those needing treatment had to be addressed.

In the 1990s, relapse prevention and other therapies were emerging as useful tools. As a result, aftercare and day-programmes began to receive greater emphasis. The Christchurch Bridge Programme was the first to embark on a planned aftercare and family programme. And in Tonga, a youth education programme dealing with alcohol abuse was introduced.

The Salvation Army Bridge Programme soon found itself involved with problem gambling, and Bridge staff could see this was a rapidly increasing social problem. Even before the ever present pokie machines, centres began providing problem gambling services.

In 1993, with a $100,000 Lotteries' grant, Wellington Bridge Programme was able to establish a clinic for problem gambling at Naenae. There are now five Oasis centres and 15 clinics throughout the country.

Salvation army problem gambling addiction

Salvation Army Problem Gambling Winnings

The Salvation Army Addiction Service has changed from a residential medical model to a multi-faceted smorgasbord programme serving approximately 1500 clients each year. All centres, from Kaitaia to Invercargill, deliver out-patient, day and aftercare services, with flexibility to respond to individuals.