Gambling addiction advice leaps in Scottish town

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by Change | 16 Sep 2009

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Children as young as 13 are becoming addicted to gambling, a Scottish charity reveals.

An addiction charity has reported a leap in the number of young people seeking gambling addiction treatment in a Scottish town.

The Renfrewshire Council for Alcohol (RCA) Trust has reported a 15 per cent jump in children who have become addicting to gambling in Paisley over the past year, the Paisley Daily Express reports.

According to the organisation, the popularity of online activities such as poker among adults could be inspiring their children to turn to gambling.

One teenager contacted the charity after amassing a debt of £4,500 through betting.

RCA Trust counsellor Andy Todd told the newspaper: "Gambling is a lot more attractive to kids these days, with plenty of glitzy adverts around for online poker.

"The stakes are higher and the amounts you can win are higher too. You see prizes of £100,000 up for grabs and that is an attractive sum for just a couple of quid stake money."

Mr Todd added that one 16-year-old came to the organisation after developing a gambling addiction since the age of 13.

Gamblers Anonymous reports that in order to break the cycle of compulsive gambling, addicts must even stop making social or fun bets.

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