“It gives you the stonewall you need, that you’ve got to have in order to stop and then you can start doing the work on why you did it and what the real problems are behind it."

I got so good at lying about gambling, now I help others open up through the Peer Aid programme. You can talk to someone who understands. Call the National Gambling Helpline now for free support, self-exclusion and gambling blocking software.

The first thing I would say is that for anyone looking for help, you are not alone. There are organisations like GamCare, Gamban and GAMSTOP, that have great tools and people to help get you through the tough times.

"I began gambling online around four years ago, and during this time I felt like he was becoming a completely different person... I was suffering with stress, mostly related to my work. However, when even moving jobs didn’t seem to help, I turned to gambling. I would neglect my wife and …

Steve, 35, Norwich

“The fact that I’ve used that service [GAMSTOP] with the blocking software and the counselling has given me three big pillars to stand on.”

"At the moment, knowing that there are a couple of measures in place, just in my head, it gives me the block to say, 'You can't gamble.”