Plymouth veterans recovering from gambling call it 'unseen' addiction
Figures show in Cornwall - the fiscal cost of problem gambling is an estimated £7.5 million, and £4.9 million in Plymouth
Last updated 23rd Apr 2025
Military veterans from Plymouth, with lived experience of gambling harms and addiction, say it's an 'unseen' addiction.
A short film has been released to raise awareness of the impact and the stigma around seeking support - which can often lead to it spiraling and creating mental health and financial harms.
It's been created by a collaboration of organisations across Devon and the South West.
Ava Recovery for All, one of the organisations who work across the south west, reveal figures show in Cornwall - the fiscal cost of problem gambling is an estimated £7.5 million.
In Plymouth, it's an estimated £4.9 million.
Matt Losing, veteran who works with Ava Recovery for All, said: "Being in recovery from my own gambling harms, we're trying to empower people to talk about gambling as a subject in the armed forces community because while I was serving, I was gambling and witnessing it and I didn't talk about it because of the perceived shame and judgement."
Andy Gallie, who turned to gambling while he served and struggled to get support, now works for Beacon Gambling Trust.
He said: "Myself and Matt actually served together 19 years ago on HMS Scott and gambled together, but neither of us spoke about it at the time due to the stigmatisation around it. We now find ourselves working n the same project. Had we spoken to each-other, had it been normalised to talk to each-other, maybe we wouldn't' be in this position we are today."
The film has been set up to raise awareness of the scale of the issue, as well as the impact it has on friends and family as a result.
It also discusses a need for training within the armed forces, so people with lived experience of gambling can support people going through the same.
Andy added there's a link between gambling and mental health: "The statistics for suicide alone on 495 last year alone are huge. There's a mental health stigma, men don't talk and that's what we need to break down first. That people can open up and talk about what's going on for them.
"It's really important we get that message across, the awareness of prevention work and how training can support them within the forces."
If you're affected by any of the information in this article, or want details for support and prevention, you can visit the Ara Recovery for All website.