Gambling problems are incredibly complex with every person having different motivations to gamble and triggers for problems to begin. The impact of problem gambling either directly or indirectly (partners, spouses, families, colleagues) can be devastating.

• Financial difficulty, debt and bankruptcy
• Relationship breakdown (including divorce)
• Isolation and loneliness
• Low self-esteem, depression, stress and anxiety
  

So how does this affect business?  

• Increased employee sickness and absence
• Impacts on employee mental health
• Reduced productivity and results
• Theft and Fraud
• Damage to your reputation
  

Existing wellbeing programmes should help raise awareness of the increase in harmful gambling and associated behaviours. Like any other addiction, its impact on mental health should be recognised.

Impacted employees will be distracted by gambling during work and attention should be given to those in high risk roles. Those with high level decision making responsibility, access to financial infrastructure or in safely critical roles can put a business at huge risk.

Unlike other wellbeing risks and addictions, the devastating financial impact on those with a gambling addiction can put pressure on an individual's ability to make ethical decisions. Businesses with strong anti bribery and corruption processes need to be aware of the behaviours and associated risks.

Like with drug & alcohol, policies need prevent gambling at work while encouraging employees to access help through the workplace if needed. A workplace policy on gambling should be available to all employees, making clear that the disclosure of a gambling problem will not lead to discrimination.

There are many examples of gamblers who have stolen from their employer to satisfy their gambling addiction. Negative publicity around harmful gambling could have a detrimental effect on an organisation’s image.

Businesses need to be prepared for problem gamblers of all demographics. High income earners are an increasing segment with some seeing rise of addiction to trading including Crypto trading deemed the 'middle class gambling addiction'. Young people and women are also an increasing group due to the accessibility of online gambling. 

Gambling Harm

Awareness & Education

Training/Workshops

• For Employees
• For Managers and HR professionals
• The impact of gambling in the workplace, from wellbeing to HR policy and business risk.
• Gain an increased awareness and understanding of gambling harms.
• The steps managers can take to support their people and business.
• The help and advice available to those affected by gambling harms.
• Be able to identify and recognise the signs of gambling harms, and know how and where to signpost for additional support.
  

Guest Speaker

Project Wellbeing's founder Chris Gawor has lived experience of gambling addiction and the effect it has on mental health, and your personal and working life.

His unique perspective on the impact of gambling, both as a manager running successful sales teams throughout his career, and as someone with a 12 year addiction to gambling and day trading, creates a powerful message to teams and managers.

He is determined to break down the stigma and shame associated with gambling addiction by helping businesses raise awareness and prepare for policy and risk management implications.

Harmful Gambling

Policy Advisory

Being the hidden addiction, gambling is quite often a gap in business policies.

However, due to the financial strain it can put on a harmful gambler, as well as the mental distraction of real time access to gambling, it potentially poses a more significant reputational and financial risk.

We can advise on how to ensure that gambling is integrated into relevant policies and programmes, including wellbeing and mental health programmes, HR policies, and any ethics and governance policies related to anti-bribery and corruption, and security.