How It Feels To Have A Gambling Addiction – And Be Bombarded By Adverts

The first time Michael* gambled he was 11 years old. In the corner of a cafe near his home in north London, sat a fruit machine. Michael headed there one day with a school friend, and put 30p in the slot - the change from his lunch money. He won five pounds, bought himself an ice cream to celebrate, and began returning every week.