Blog

As a first go with ChatGPT we asked:   What harms can gambling cause?   In less than a second it replied: Gambling can cause a number of harms, including:     Addiction: Gambling addiction is a serious problem that can lead to financial ruin,...

For many, compulsive gambling occurs alongside substance addiction and negative mental health.   We probably can agree with the above statement from our own experience and observing the behaviour of others. Traditionally for instance there have always been...

In their response to the Department of Culture, Media and Sports consultation towards a Gambling Act White Paper the BMA calls for a focus on prevention of gambling harms, a cross-government working, a call for fully independent research and treatment, a recognition...

A student at Stirling University is seeking people who have used methods such as self-exclusion, spend caps, cooling-off periods, etc. and how effective they have been found to be. Kaitlyn Evans  will be carrying out online interviews as part of her research  that...

An article in the British Medical Journal poses the question, "Why are we devising regulations that enable consumers to use dangerous products, rather than preventing their release onto the market?”  One answer is to do with who has power to shape the narratives and...

The prevalence of exttreme gambling harms - identified as a psychiatric disorder, often referred to as addiction - is given by the Gambling Commission as 0.3% of the population. This is often taken - by the gambling industry, for instance - as an 'official figure',...

We've taken the opportunity at the turn of the year to look back to how we started in 2017 with The Machine Zone, and a quick look forward. We now run five websites which may be confusing. It certainly confuses us! So maybe this page will make things a little clearer....

The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) published a report on gambling harms in Scotland as a public health issue., 12 December 2022. Access the report here.  

A report published today (7 November) describes stark impacts of the cost of living crisis on Scots It shows increasing issues around physical and mental health and changes in spending behaviours   Conducted by media and marketing companies Union and 56 Degree...

The team at tacklinggamblingstigma.com is inviting people to share their story of harms from their own or someone else's gambling. This would be via an informal chat with a researcher by telephone or in person at your convenience. We are interested in people of all...

  If you are suffering from gambling harms or affected by somebody else's many issues may arise, differently for everybody but sharing common themes. Financial problems, mental health, criminal proceedings, unemployment, relationship and family breakdown to name...

The word 'addiction' is itself bursting at the seams with negative connotations. It can evoke all sorts of uncaring ignorant stereotypes. It is a stigmatising word. But we use it carefully on this site as explained here. The word is used widely in everyday life,...

Don't panic! If the idea of becoming a director/consultant/advisor sounds no-no, weird, downright not for you, please read on. Martin and Adrian are currently the only two directors of The Machine Zone and we're looking to get more people on board who represent...

When the Big Step walk between Manchester and Liverpool ended at Anfield, Martin Paterson lit a candle at Everton FC's memorial wall in memory of Ryan Myers and all who have lost their lives to gambling. Ryan's father and mother, John and Alison and sister Hannah were...

A green paper may be circulated to chosen consultees for commentary, amendemnets etc. A White Paper is agreed within government across departments such as the Treasury and may form the basis of a proposed Bill. The White Paper allows for further consultation and...

Touching People in 'Ordinary' LifeMartin from the company he founded, The Machine Zone which seeks to raise awareness of gambling harms through the arts, seen here at Dundee Repertory Theatre's dark comedy about gambling. The play's co-written by somebody who's spent...

Brass tacks: a reasonable summary of demands to address gambling harmsThe above is from Gambling with Lives new website. While they have done so much to raise awareness of the horrible connections between gambling and suicide, their five points are broadly shared...

Listen While You Work! We'll be sending the song to radio stations in Scotland soon. It's a beautiful piece whatever. Hopefully it may spark conversations among listeners through phone-ins. Meanwhile...   Do Share the Song with OthersGreat story here of how the...