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Beat the Odds is an innovative and much needed service in Wales to help tackle excessive gambling. A Living Room Cardiff/CAIS initiative, the Beat the Odds website provides comprehensive information on how to deal with excessive gambling.

In the last decade or two gambling has been deregulated and as a consequence gambling opportunities have increased exponentially. Technology has also contributed to gambling choices. Alongside this rise in gambling opportunities has come a rise in problems associated with gambling. These include debt, lifestyle problems, mental illness and family breakdown. The data on gambling prevalence in Wales is poor. Based on the evidence available, The Living Room Cardiff estimate that there are around 114,000 at risk and problematic gamblers in Wales with as much as 12,000 considered to have a gambling disorder. The Gambling Commission figures show that over £1.62billion was staked on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBT) alone, an average of £675 per adult with an overall loss of £51.5 billion.  FOBT are just one of the countless gambling opportunities available.

 

Providing Help

Excessive gambling, like other compulsive and substance disorders, is a complex phenomenon.  There are a range of personal, social, psychological and hereditary factors that play a role in excessive gambling, In addition, a culture’s gambling ethos – the prevalence, availability and acceptability – plays a key role. 

 

In order to provide the most effective service possible The Living Room Cardiff has undertaken an extensive consultation exercise. 

 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

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