Gambling with Lives, with James Grimes

Mid-life Men: the mental health podcast

In this episode, we look at the devastating impact that an addiction to gambling can have on people's lives. We talk to James Grimes, Head of Education at Gambling with Lives, a community of families bereaved by gambling-related suicide that provides support, raises awareness, and campaigns for change. James is also the founder of The Big Step, a campaign to end all gambling advertising and sponsorship in football, led by people harmed by gambling.

James had a 12-year gambling addiction and football played a significant role in his addiction. He tells his story of how as a 16-year-old, he had his first experience in the world of gambling, firstly on the high street, and then with its ease of access and pervasiveness, online gambling. Then, when advertising and sponsorship by gambling companies became widespread in the sport he loved – football - he was continually exposed and encouraged to gamble which led him to fast lose control as his addiction became more extreme. Failures by banks, payday loans companies, and the gambling companies themselves to exert a duty of care resulted in James reaching rock bottom until by chance he read about an Irish postman and gambling addict who had come out the other side, which put James on the long road to recovery.

If you, or a relative or friend are affected by gambling addiction and its consequences, contact Gambling with Lives https://www.gamblingwithlives.org/ for help and contact information.