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/

Professional footballer Steven Caulker has had quite the career. Since signing his first professional contract at Tottenham Hotspur he has played for the likes of Liverpool, Southampton, Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wigan Athletic & Malaga City. A promising start to his career led to him being selected for the England national side as well as the Great Britain Olympic team.

Steven’s competitive edge and addictive personality eventually led him down some dark paths and before long gambling, alcohol and depression were major factors in his life.

On this episode of ‘Hold or Fold’ Steven talks candidly about how he first got into football, signing that first contract, scoring on his England debut and the issues his gambling addiction caused him. Steven has now turned a corner in his life and is able to reflect on how his addictions stifled his career progression and what he learned on his road to recovery.

Discussion points…

Steven talks about ‘that’ Ibrahimovich goal

His premier league debut for Swansea

How Gambler’s Anonymous has supported him

USEFUL LINKS:

• Reframe Coaching

• Gamcare

• Gamble Aware

• Bet Know More

• Breakeven

• Gamfam

• Gamlearn

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/

After two successful series broadcast exclusively on National Prison Radio - ‘Hold or Fold’ is now available to everyone

'Hold or Fold' explores gambling harm with an emphasis on the criminal justice system, your hosts Ben & Steve have both served time in prison as a direct result of their gambling. In this first episode they are introducing themselves to you, a brand new audience.

They candidly share what got them into gambling, how it escalated and why this led to a prison sentence. What was that first night in prison like? How did they cope? and how were they able to turn their adversity into a positive?

Plus, Ben & Steve will be taking their first listener question in ‘Cards On the Table’ - We’d love to hear your questions too. To do this, use the links below

USEFUL LINKS:

• Reframe Coaching

• Gamcare

• GambleAware

• Gambler’s Anonymous

• Breakeven

• Gamfam

• Gamlearn

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

...And is funded by 'Gambleaware'

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

https://prison.radio/

A podcast for anyone who has suffered from gambling related harm.

'Hold or Fold' explores the 'hidden addiction' that is gambling with a keen eye on how this affects those with experience of the Criminal Justice System.

Your hosts Ben & Steve both spent time in prison as a direct result of their gambling addiction - On Hold or Fold they share the stories of people who, like them, have been taken to the brink by gambling. You'll hear how gambling took a hold of people's lives, the dark places this led them to and how they were able to embark on the road to recovery.

This is part of the 'Life After Prison' podcast network from the multi-award winning 'National Prison Radio'