Taking a gamble

Critics fear increased addiction

Gambling: Help and advice

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The government says that our gambling industry is the most heavily regulated in the world.

But new laws have made casinos easier to join and an explosion in online poker has tempted millions into betting from home.

In the UK we spend at least £1 billion every week on gambling and, as Real Story's Vanessa Collingridge reports, many are struggling to get the help they need.

This programme follows three gamblers as they strive to shake off their addiction.

REAL STORY: TAKING A GAMBLE Monday, 3 April 2006 BBC ONE, 1930 BST

One man has been reduced to sleeping on a settee and making do without a fridge so that he can go straight to the betting shop with his £1,500 monthly wage.

Another addict in her 40s has been hooked on fruit machines since she was 13.

We hear from academics who warn many will never stop dicing with debt without specialist NHS help.

Racing pundit John McCririck, meanwhile, tells us laws cannot be framed around the needs of the minority who might suffer a pathological gambling problem.

As the industry goes through its biggest shake up in 40 years, is the onus on the government to provide help for gambling addicts?

'Gamblers need help on the NHS'

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Real Story: Taking a Gamble - BBC ONE, Monday 3 April, 2006 at 1930 BST.