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Earlier this evening, BBC Radio Lincolnshire aired a significant section of the All Bets Are Off podcast episode that focused on gambling harm among the student population that we released at the start of season two back in September. In 2016 over 14,000 students enrolled at Lincoln University, and some are struggling with gambling, and many more will be low-risk gamblers. Seeing that I have an obvious affinity with the area, as that’s where I was born, I figured I would take advantage of BBC Upload, a service that enables content producers like us to share creations with an audience. If this share helped just one person, then it was well worth it. Click here to listen to the full episode: Gambling Harm Among The Student Population

Rohan Banerjee, the journalist from the NewStatesman, included me in a news item titled “A bookie in your pocket”: how tech changed sports betting dynamics. The article explains why gambling apps and in-play markets need tighter regulation and includes our friend and founder of The Big Step, James Grimes. Click here to view the article.

Exciting news! In April 2020, the All Bets Are Off Podcast released the first-ever episode of their gambling addiction recovery podcast. For more information or to listen in to the podcast, check out: www.allbetsareoff.co.uk/

A notification went off on my phone in my pocket. I was in an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at the time, and I couldn’t check it. Upon leaving the meeting, I pulled the phone out of my pocket. The message was from Melissa Rice, one of the hosts of BBC Hooked: The Unexpected Addicts, asking me if I wanted to appear on their next episode. I responded with a big “yes, yes, yes” straight away. This was a great opportunity for me to appear on a podcast that I had listened to religiously. Wednesday mornings were BBC Hooked morning. This podcast has helped many in recovery and has made big steps in breaking the stigma associated with addiction. This episode, “Your Stories,” includes me and another guest, Grace, talking with Melissa and Jade (Wye) about our personal experiences. Once you have listened to this episode, I urge you to listen to the others. This podcast is a real gamechanger. Melissa and Jade are awesome and inspired me to get involved with All Bets Are Off. Click here to listen to the episode.

We present a discussion on the process of GB self-exclusion methods across: Online gambling Betting shops Casino Adult Gaming Centres Bingo Background The Gambling Commission outlines three tools: setting limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion to help users 'gain control' as a part of 'safer gambling.' Literature has shown that self-exclusion programs are beneficial but under-utilised In 2019, 53% of gamblers were not aware of self-exclusion Gambling Commission code of practice for non-remote gambling: Individuals should be able to self-exclude without having to enter gambling premises (3.5.2:2) Results Online Gambling A free online form that takes a "few minutes" on gamstop.co.uk (Effective within 24 hours) Betting shops Phone the MOSES team (8 am to 12 am) & send documents by post or email Casino Visit a UK land-based casino Download & print form to be completed by hand and then emailed or posted Adult Gaming Centres Visit an Adult Gaming Centre Phone an Adult Gaming Centre Non-bacta members should contact bacta on e-mail or by phone Bingo Attend local bingo club or licensed bingo premises, explain and interview, take pictures, and assist in completing an online self-exclusion form. OR Contact licensed bingo premises by phone or website OR "Contact The Bingo Association, who will give them the telephone number of their club or licensed bingo premises. To start the process, a customer should complete the form below. Following receipt, a staff member from the Association will contact the customer (usually within 2 working days)." Summary of UK self-exclusion Two out of five self-exclusion groups are independent of contact with industry (online and betting shops) One out of five self-exclusion groups involve a method that is quick and available 24/7 (online) No self-exclusion method is clearly and easily advertised as available in multiple languages. Discussion A systematic review of 16 original studies published over 1997-2017 found that self-exclusion barriers need to be reduced. In line with the evidence, we also perceive industry-modifiable barriers to self-exclusion in availability and accessibility for the UK consumer, which we suggest are: Independence from gambling Perceived complexity Perceived chance of success Perceived time spent Language barriers Time restrictions (A lack of a 24/7 service) In particular, we note that the description for self-exclusion to Casino's states that the form must be printed and signed by hand (despite law on e-signatures) Conclusions We recommend that fit-for-purpose self-exclusion schemes be independent of gambling activity or representation, devoid of unnecessary verbosity and complexity, available at any time and in any language. Barriers in self-exclusion schemes, for all types of gambling except for online gambling, need to be urgently addressed using a simple online technology-based solution such as an online form (at minimal cost or specialist ability)

Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. “Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone.” You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow visitors to explore more of what interests them. Create Relevant Content Writing a blog is a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field and captivate your readers’ attention. Do you want to improve your site’s SEO ranking? Consider topics that focus on relevant keywords and relate back to your website or business. You can also add hashtags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help visitors search for relevant content. Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Choose a great image to feature in your post or add a video for extra engagement. Are you ready to get started? Simply create a new post now.

Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. Design with Ease “Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone.” Every layout comes with the latest social features built in. Readers will be able to easily share posts on social networks like Facebook and Twitter, view how many people have liked a post, made comments and more. With Wix, building your online community has never been easier. Create Relevant Content You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow readers to explore more of what interests them. Each category of your blog has its own page that’s fully customizable. Add a catchy title, a brief description and a beautiful image to the category page header to truly make it your own. You can also add tags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help readers search for relevant content. Using hashtags can expand your post reach and help people find the content that matters to them. Go ahead, #hashtag away. Stun Your Readers “Be original, show off your style, and tell your story.” Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Are you a creative agency? Go wild with original blog posts about recent projects, cool inspirational ideas, or what your company culture is like. Add images, and videos to really spice it up, and pepper it with slang to keep readers interested. Are you a programmer? Stay on the more technical side by offering weekly tips, tricks, and hacks that show off your knowledge of the industry. No matter what type of business you have, one thing is for sure - blogging gives your business the opportunity to be heard in a way in a different and unconventional way. Get Inspired To keep up with all things Wix, including website building tips and interesting articles, head over to the Wix Blog. You may even find yourself inspired to start crafting your own blog, adding unique content, and stunning images and videos. Start creating your own blog now. Good luck!

What is Stigma? Stigma is a social phenomenon where certain characteristics, qualities or features of an identifiable group are regarded in a strongly negative light. As a consequence, stigmatisation can operate in a discriminatory way, create increased isolation, punish individuals further and lead to increased levels of harm. This article discusses some of the consequences of the stigma that people with gambling harm may experience before explaining how language can be used to remove stigmatisation. How does stigma affect people with gambling harm? It is reported that stigma hinders or prevents treatment for individuals suffering from substance abuse and problem gambling (Yang, Wong, Grivel and Hasin, 2017). Stigma can lead to policymakers underfunding necessary treatment programmes. Equally, stigma can dissuade individuals from speaking openly. If people who have a gambling disorder experience less stigma, they may feel more able to ask for help and take steps towards recovery. Studies have shown that people who suffer from gambling harm experience anxiety over how their disorder might be perceived and the potential negative consequences accompanying this. Because of this anxiety, other less healthy coping mechanisms are adopted, such as hiding and cognitive distancing (Dąbrowska and Wieczorek, 2020). The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation make a distinction between self-stigma and public stigma. The former refers to stigma from the point of view of people with a gambling disorder and how they perceive themselves. The latter describes the point of view of others, perceiving individuals with a gambling disorder. Stigmatising beliefs can lead to people who gamble compulsively experiencing greater difficulties and further harm, such as increased self-blame and intensified feelings of guilt. Moreover, individuals with problem gambling experience high levels of fear regarding how others perceive them, despite experiences of direct discriminatory behaviours being relatively low (Hing, Nuske, Gainsbury and Russell, 2015). Why is some language stigmatising? It is important to think about why certain language is stigmatising. The choice of certain language and phrases over others can have far-reaching implications for the way in which topics, such as gambling harm, are discussed. Whether or not something is stigmatising often comes down to how the topic is framed. Subtle differences in the words we use, often chosen unconsciously, can create vastly different impressions. The language we use is important because of the non-explicit messages which are conveyed. Depending on how we phrase our words, we have the ability to avoid accidentally implying unnecessarily punitive attitudes and individual blame. For example, when speaking about people who gamble, phrases such as “a compulsive gambler” or “a gambling addict” place gambling as the central aspect of the identity of an individual. Placing gambling as the central aspect of the identity of an individual can be stigmatising because it defines the individual in terms of gambling which could be considered as placing ultimate responsibility, or even blame, on the individual, and add to the pre-existing harm they experience. Alternatively, individuals who gamble compulsively may prefer to be described as exactly that: “a person who gambles compulsively”. This language is non-stigmatising and centres the focus on the person, acknowledging them as an individual first and foremost, while also speaking about gambling in a clear and neutral way. It conveys the meaning that a person “has” a problem rather than that a person “is” a problem (Kelly, Saitz and Wakeman, 2016). When these ideas about stigmatisation are applied to all language used to discuss gambling harm, a far healthier environment is created. What are the stigmatising terms for gambling harm and drug use and what are the terms that they should be using? The table below has been prepared to provide examples of non-stigmatising language alongside equivalent stigmatising language, based on a table provided for similar terms relating to drug addiction. On the right-hand side of the table are two columns. The first is a list of terms that can be used to describe Problem Gambling in a way which frames the conversation by putting individuals first. The second column is a list of terms that are often used yet stigmatise those who gamble compulsively. For reference, the two left-hand columns provide the original table of terms concerning drug usage. References Dąbrowska, K. and Wieczorek, Ł. (2020) ‘Perceived social stigmatisation of gambling disorders and coping with stigma’, Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 37(3), pp. 279–297. Hing, N., Nuske, E., Gainsbury, S. and Russell, A., 2015. Perceived stigma and self-stigma of problem gambling: perspectives of people with gambling problems. International Gambling Studies, 16(1), pp.31-48. Kelly, J., Saitz, R. and Wakeman, S., 2016. Language, Substance Use Disorders, and Policy: The Need to Reach Consensus on an “Addiction-ary”. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 34(1), pp.116-123. Yang, L., Wong, L., Grivel, M. and Hasin, D., 2017. Stigma and substance use disorders. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 30(5), pp.378-388.

Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. Design with Ease “Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone.” Every layout comes with the latest social features built in. Readers will be able to easily share posts on social networks like Facebook and Twitter, view how many people have liked a post, made comments and more. With Wix, building your online community has never been easier. Create Relevant Content You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow readers to explore more of what interests them. Each category of your blog has its own page that’s fully customizable. Add a catchy title, a brief description and a beautiful image to the category page header to truly make it your own. You can also add tags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help readers search for relevant content. Using hashtags can expand your post reach and help people find the content that matters to them. Go ahead, #hashtag away. Stun Your Readers “Be original, show off your style, and tell your story.” Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Are you a creative agency? Go wild with original blog posts about recent projects, cool inspirational ideas, or what your company culture is like. Add images, and videos to really spice it up, and pepper it with slang to keep readers interested. Are you a programmer? Stay on the more technical side by offering weekly tips, tricks, and hacks that show off your knowledge of the industry. No matter what type of business you have, one thing is for sure - blogging gives your business the opportunity to be heard in a way in a different and unconventional way. Get Inspired To keep up with all things Wix, including website building tips and interesting articles, head over to the Wix Blog. You may even find yourself inspired to start crafting your own blog, adding unique content, and stunning images and videos. Start creating your own blog now. Good luck!

Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. Design with Ease “Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone.” Every layout comes with the latest social features built in. Readers will be able to easily share posts on social networks like Facebook and Twitter, view how many people have liked a post, made comments and more. With Wix, building your online community has never been easier. Create Relevant Content You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow readers to explore more of what interests them. Each category of your blog has its own page that’s fully customizable. Add a catchy title, a brief description and a beautiful image to the category page header to truly make it your own. You can also add tags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help readers search for relevant content. Using hashtags can expand your post reach and help people find the content that matters to them. Go ahead, #hashtag away. Stun Your Readers “Be original, show off your style, and tell your story.” Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Are you a creative agency? Go wild with original blog posts about recent projects, cool inspirational ideas, or what your company culture is like. Add images, and videos to really spice it up, and pepper it with slang to keep readers interested. Are you a programmer? Stay on the more technical side by offering weekly tips, tricks, and hacks that show off your knowledge of the industry. No matter what type of business you have, one thing is for sure - blogging gives your business the opportunity to be heard in a way in a different and unconventional way. Get Inspired To keep up with all things Wix, including website building tips and interesting articles, head over to the Wix Blog. You may even find yourself inspired to start crafting your own blog, adding unique content, and stunning images and videos. Start creating your own blog now. Good luck!

Create a blog post subtitle that summarizes your post in a few short, punchy sentences and entices your audience to continue reading. Welcome to your blog post. Use this space to connect with your readers and potential customers in a way that’s current and interesting. Think of it as an ongoing conversation where you can share updates about business, trends, news, and more. “Do you have a design in mind for your blog? Whether you prefer a trendy postcard look or you’re going for a more editorial style blog - there’s a stunning layout for everyone.” You’ll be posting loads of engaging content, so be sure to keep your blog organized with Categories that also allow visitors to explore more of what interests them. Create Relevant Content Writing a blog is a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field and captivate your readers’ attention. Do you want to improve your site’s SEO ranking? Consider topics that focus on relevant keywords and relate back to your website or business. You can also add hashtags (#vacation #dream #summer) throughout your posts to reach more people, and help visitors search for relevant content. Blogging gives your site a voice, so let your business’ personality shine through. Choose a great image to feature in your post or add a video for extra engagement. Are you ready to get started? Simply create a new post now.

I was asked to contribute to an article in The Big Issue North written by Mark Lomas about gambling's relationship with football. The article Pitch imperfect - Big Issue North was written following another Big Step. This time we walked 300 miles from Scotland to England asking for broadcasters to remove gambling advertising during Euro 2020 (which took place in 2021). Twitter - @marklomasSport