Problem gambling in the workplace

In March 2013 Pathological gambling was reclassified as a behavioural addiction, thus changing an organisation's duty of care. There is now a legal and regulatory obligation to be aware of this issue and it is a CEO's responsibility to safeguard against this mental health condition.

Gambling is the fastest growing addiction in the UK, with 450,000 problem gamblers, with a further 3,000,000 at risk of becoming so.  It is claimed for every problem gambler at least ten other people are affected from family to friends to work colleagues.

Problem gambling has the highest suicide, relapse, bankruptcy, co-morbidity and relationship breakdown rates of any addiction but not currently tackled as a risk issue.

Gambling is the fastest growing reason for custodial sentences, with an upward trend witnessed across financial services.

Despite several high profile cases, most firms have not taken steps to identify and manage the risks of employee problem gambling in the workplace. Problem gambling increases reputational and financial risk related to fraud.

Employers have a duty of care to their employees, to ensure they work in a safe environment. Does your firm have a block on gambling websites? Are their unsupervised computers in break-out areas? Ever considered that the gambling site your colleague seems to visit so frequently is actually harmful to your colleague and maybe your firm?

Firms should consider including gambling related risks on their risk register.

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