The gaming industry has exploded in recent years and is now worth over $270 billion worldwide. However, the improvement in graphics, depth, playability and connectivity has also seen a shift in the way we consume games but also how we pay for them and the content within them.

Some games are now ‘Freemium’ (Cost nothing to download) and offer ‘In-game purchases’ while others employ a mechanic known as ‘loot boxes’ - A chance based gameplay element which typically cost you money. Could these loot boxes become addictive? Could they result in you over-spending? and, are they classed as gambling?

One person who believes this to be the case is Dave - Dave became hooked on mobile gaming loot boxes and soon saw things spiral out of control. His addiction impacted his home life, his work life and his own personal mental health. He is joined on the show by Pavlos who works to support people with their gaming based addictions. Pavlos sets out why games are addictive and the potential issues that can arise as a result of this.

USEFUL LINKS:

• EPIC Global Solutions

• Breakeven

• Reframe Coaching

• Gamcare

• Gordon Moody

• Gamfam

• Gamlearn

• Bet Know More

Call the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133

If you would like to get in touch with Hold or Fold and ask us a question, suggest a topic or start a conversation, you can E-mail us at...

📧: Podcasts@prison.radio

💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X)

✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF

This episode is hosted by...

Ben Jones & Steve Girling

You can find out more about the work of the 'Prison Radio Association' and 'National Prison Radio' here:

https://prison.radio/

Thanks to GambleAware for the support

In our inaugural Recovery special we’ll be hearing from the world’s first professor of addiction recovery, David Best

David has a degree in psychology with philosophy, a masters in Criminology and a PhD in the psychology of addictions. He has also authored 3 books on addiction recovery and has written more than 170 peer-reviewed publications so it was a great honour to have him on the show. He tells us what Recovery means, how to give yourself the best chance of a successful recovery and how this might be made more difficult by being in prison.

Ben & Steve were fascinated by David’s thoughts and share their own opinions on recovery as they reflect and react throughout

USEFUL LINKS:

• Reframe Coaching

• Beacon Counselling Trust

• Gordon Moody

• Gamlearn

• Gamfam

• Gamcare

• Bet Know More

• Breakeven

• Gambler’s Anonymous

• Book - 'the Myth of Addiction'

Call the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133

If you would like to get in touch with Hold or Fold and ask us a question, suggest a topic or start a conversation, you can E-mail us at...

📧: Podcasts@prison.radio

💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X)

✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF

This episode is hosted by...

Ben Jones & Steve Girling

You can find out more about the work of the 'Prison Radio Association' and 'National Prison Radio' here:

https://prison.radio/

Gordon Moody is an organisation that provides advice, counselling, online support and a structured residential treatment course to help you overcome problems caused by gambling.

Having heard the name ‘Gordon Moody’ crop up in many of the conversations we’ve had around gambling addiction in the past, we decided to pay them a visit. Co-Host Ben travelled to both the Women’s and the Men’s residential treatment centres in the Midlands where he met with Jemma, Lisa and Andy. All of whom have had their own brushes with the criminal justice system as a result of their gambling and completed the residential programmes at Gordon Moody

Ben got a full tour of the both centres and was incredibly impressed with the work that goes on there, he later reflects on how useful it could have been during his own recovery.

A huge thank you to Gordon Moody for opening their doors to us and also to Jemma, Lisa, Andy, Harp & Hodan for sharing their stories and to Alyson and Sam for arranging the visit

USEFUL LINKS:

• Gordon Moody

• Reframe Coaching

• Gamlearn

• Gamfam

• Gamcare

• Bet Know More

• Breakeven

• Gambler’s Anonymous

Call the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133

If you found anything in this episode triggering and need someone to talk to, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123

If you would like to get in touch with Hold or Fold and ask us a question, suggest a topic or start a conversation, you can E-mail us at...

📧: Podcasts@prison.radio

💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X)

✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF

This episode is hosted by...

Ben Jones & Steve Girling

You can find out more about the work of the 'Prison Radio Association' and 'National Prison Radio' here:

https://prison.radio/