Diane Barnes, a 51-year-old from Crieff, reflects on a lifetime of gambling that started when she was seven years old. She describes helping her grandmother play slot machines as a young child, an experience that eventually led to a severe addiction in her adult years. For Barnes, the transition to mobile betting changed the landscape completely. She compares the accessibility of smartphones to having a casino in her pocket, which allowed her to gamble at any hour of the day or night.
After moving to Lerwick in 1998, Barnes found that the lack of physical casinos did not hinder her addiction because digital platforms remained accessible. She highlights that the habit functioned as a form of escapism, often used to fill a void. At her lowest point, she struggled with her mental health and sought help through Gamblers Anonymous Scotland. Today, she is in recovery, has graduated with a qualification in counseling, and works to help others break the cycle of addiction.
Barnes now advocates for improved support services in rural and island locations. She points out that the stigma surrounding addiction in smaller communities makes it difficult for people to seek help openly. The isolation in these areas, combined with the constant availability of mobile betting, creates a significant risk for residents. She emphasizes that recovery is possible for anyone regardless of how long they have struggled with the issue.
In response to these challenges, the charity GamCare has introduced free online treatment sessions for people in the Highlands, Islands, and the Western Isles. These sessions use cognitive behavioral therapy to support individuals struggling with gambling harm. The program receives funding from the Scottish government and aims to provide better referral pathways for those in need. Organizations are also offering tools like banking blocks and software to restrict gambling apps, providing practical steps for those who want to regain control of their finances and personal lives.