'Prize draw addiction left me hungry and using tissues for tampons'
Summary
Prize draws and competitions have become a large and growing market in the UK but can cause addiction and financial problems. One woman, Lisa, shared how her addiction to these prize draws led her to spend thousands of pounds, run into debt, and struggle to afford basic needs. The government has introduced voluntary guidelines for the industry, but some experts and affected people say they are not enough to prevent harm.Key Facts
- Prize draws and competitions are widespread on social media and TV and are considered a major market by the government.
- Lisa, a 33-year-old single mother, became addicted to prize draws and spent over £5,000, including her disability benefit, leading to debt and financial hardship.
- Instant-win draws, costing as little as one penny and allowing unlimited entries, are especially tempting and contribute to addiction.
- Gambling laws do not fully cover prize draws, which avoid regulation by offering free entry or skill questions.
- The government created a voluntary code of practice signed by 177 operators to encourage safer conduct in this market.
- Experts say this voluntary code does not fully address the risks from the fast growth of prize draws and competitions.
- Lisa could not access some safeguards like bank blocks or ad filters because prize draws are not fully regulated as gambling.
- Lisa described the emotional toll of the addiction, including shame, desperation, and using tissues as tampons due to lack of money.
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