Charity launches campaign highlighting the often-overlooked impact of gambling harm on families, friends, colleagues and communities

Betknowmore UK launches “Right behind you” campaign, to help people recognise when someone else’s gambling is affecting their own life.

It is suggested that at least 6-10 people are likely to be affected by every person experiencing gambling harm, Betknowmore UK has launched a new campaign highlighting the experiences and support needs of people affected by someone else’s gambling.

Partners, parents, children, friends and colleagues can all experience the emotional, financial and psychological effects of someone else’s gambling. These experiences can go unrecognised and may include financial pressure, strained relationships, stress and changes in mental wellbeing.

Julie, a Peer Support Coordinator at Betknowmore UK who shares her own story as part of the campaign, said: “In one moment, my whole life changed forever. I discovered that the person I loved had gambled away most of our savings, and from that day on, my family and I were living with the consequences.”

Betknowmore UK wants the campaign to help people recognise that their wellbeing matters and that support is available to them, whether or not the person gambling is seeking help. People do not need to be experiencing a crisis to ask for support.

The campaign is backed by Clarke Carlisle, Chair of Mind, former Premier League footballer and Business Development Executive at Betknowmore UK.

He commented: “The damage didn’t stop with me. My gambling drained our savings and brought constant stress into our home. Recovery meant recognising that my family had been living with the consequences too.
That’s why this campaign matters. The people around the person gambling often suffer in silence, and they deserve support in their own right.”

The charity hopes the campaign will encourage more families and loved ones to access support earlier, before they reach crisis.

Frankie Graham, Betknowmore UK’s Founder and CEO, said:

“Unfortunately, people affected by someone else’s gambling may not see themselves as needing support, despite carrying stress, secrecy, and financial strain, often to try and keep their family intact. We recognise that the harms impacting ‘affected others’ can be extraordinarily complex and challenging, and it is a strategic priority for Betknowmore UK to address this gap in awareness and services. Through this campaign, we want all people affected negatively by gambling to recognise that their needs matter too, and that they don’t need to wait for a crisis before asking for help.”

Julie added: “For years I thought it was only happening to me. It wasn’t until I met other affected others that I realised there were thousands of people carrying the same worry, shame and stigma.”

Betknowmore UK provides specialist peer-led support for people affected by someone else’s gambling. Many of those delivering support draw on their own lived experiences, offering understanding without judgement while recognising that each person’s circumstances and needs are different.

Alongside emotional support, the service also offers practical guidance and signposting to relevant services for mental and physical health concerns, relationship difficulties and financial pressures, helping people find the right support at the right time.

To watch the “Right behind you” campaign and learn more about support for people affected by someone else’s gambling, visit https://www.betknowmoreuk.org/support-information/affected-other