‘I started gambling at seven – mobile betting was like Vegas in my pocket’

The charity is offering free online treatment with trained practitioners using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

The service has funding from the Scottish government, under its share of the UK-wide gambling levy, until March 2029.

Lorraine Hannah, the charity’s outreach and engagement practitioner, says online prize giveaways and games were a problem in the Highlands and islands.

“Anecdotally, I’ve heard it’s quite a big issue because of social isolation, boredom and more downtime,” she says.

“People can pick up their phones and gamble 24/7.”

She says gambling affects people’s relationships, finances, and mental health.

The charity provides confidential one-to-one help for over-18s and can also set up software to restrict certain mobile apps and banking blocks for gambling websites.

She adds: “Recovery is possible for everyone. There’s no stigma, it’s not shameful. Please don’t suffer in silence.”

Scotland’s Public Health Minister Maree Todd said the government was working with partners to tackle gambling harms, with investment of £7.9m announced earlier this year.

She says the focus is on “prevention and improving treatment referral pathways”.

The UK government says the new statutory levy is now delivering over £100m a year for research, prevention and treatment.

A statement said: “The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) members continue to raise standards and support measures which aim to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm through a wide range of safer gambling protections, including online monitoring of play, deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion tools.”

The Betting and Gaming Council has been approached for comment.