Son, aged eight, halts father's prolonged habit of gambling
In the heart of Manchester, England, David Quinti, a 49-year-old local, has shared his journey of overcoming a gambling addiction that spanned over two decades. Quinti's story began in his late twenties, when encouragement from friends led him down a path of gambling, particularly in the popular mobile gambling scene of the 2010s.
Quinti found himself trapped in the vicious cycle of gambling, despite knowing it was not right. His addiction grew, and he started to use alcohol as a means to hide his fears. One fateful day, an encounter with his eight-year-old son was a complete eye-opener. His son asked him to stop gambling, a request that struck a chord in Quinti's heart.
Quinti's life took a turn for the better when he received twelve free therapy sessions from the Beacon Counseling Trust, a local organization within the National Gambling Support Network (NGSN) in the UK. The NGSN, a key initiative in the UK's approach to addressing gambling addiction, provides coordinated support services across the country. Last year, the network treated around 7,000 people free of charge with great success.
The therapy helped Quinti overcome his addiction, and he no longer has constant thoughts about sports betting when attending games of his favourite club, Manchester United, with his son. Quinti criticizes the bonus programs of online bookmakers and casinos for encouraging excessive gambling behaviour.
The UK's approach to gambling addiction is a blend of strict regulatory controls on operators, proactive harm identification, integration of gambling impact into public health metrics, and the operation of support services such as those likely coordinated under the NGSN umbrella. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) mandates the use of algorithmic and behavioural data tracking to actively identify and intervene with problem gamblers. New requirements also require gambling operators to enable customers to set deposit limits up front, aiming to better control gambling expenditure and reduce addiction risk.
The UKGC has strengthened its approach to fining gambling operators who breach responsible gambling rules, with penalties often reaching into the millions of pounds. Data on gambling premises and economic inactivity linked to long-term health issues are integrated into public health planning to guide local interventions.
Quinti wants to help others who have fallen into gambling addiction. He encourages anyone struggling to seek help and take advantage of the resources available through the NGSN. With the right support, it is possible to overcome gambling addiction and reclaim control of one's life.
What kind of activities was Quinti struggling with due to his gambling addiction, as mentioned in the context of his criticism towards online bookmakers and casinos?Casino-games, lotteries, and casino-and-gambling were the activities Quinti found himself addicted to.
