apas works in partnership with GamCare to provide counselling and support to people who are affected by gambling. If you have a problem with gambling or are affected by someone else's gambling please contact apas, call the GamCare Helpline on 0845 6000 133 (Lo-call) or visit the GamCare website at www.gamcare.org.uk 

The information over the following pages has been reproduced with kind permission of GamCare

Types of Gambling

Most people will have gambled at some point in their lives although they may not have realised it, it could have been a trip to the Bingo hall, doing a line on the lottery, betting on England to win the Football world cup, doing a scratch card at their local newsagents or buying some stocks or shares. 

It is estimated that 78% of the population gamble in some way every year and an estimated £150 Million is spent each day when all forms of gambling are taken into consideration. Below are a list of activities that are classified as gambling.

Bingo

At bingo halls or in arcades and Casino's

Fruit Machines / Coin slot machines 

Found in pubs, arcades, clubs, shops, Casino's and bingo halls

Fixed odds betting terminals

Roulette machines in betting shops

Events

Such as football, rugby or cricket matches, boxing or TV shows such as Pop Idol and Big Brother

Horses & Dogs

Either on course at the races or off course at the bookmakers

The Lottery

National lottery, Irish lotto and other international Lotteries through the bookies

The Stock Market

Through stocks and shares

Interactive TV

Betting via the television on events or by playing games 

(also able to bet using mobile phones)

Private Games

Personal bets with friends at card games etc

Spread Betting

A complex form of betting usually over the phone or internet, a multitude of ways to bet on the outcome of an event

Scratch cards

Available from local shops and supermarkets

Table Games / Casino's

 Black jack, Roulette etc.

Prize draws

Postal, telephone or internet

Internet Gambling

Betting on international events or virtual gaming, fruit machines & casino's etc