A mother found herself behind bars following what started as innocent bingo play but escalated into a serious gambling addiction that led to theft from her employer.
Sian Mclear-Dyer, a 36-year-old resident of Wallasey, had previously dabbled in betting at the races but got hooked on gambling after a bingo night with colleagues in 2015. While employed as a finance manager at a property law firm, she began receiving enticing offers from the bingo app she had used, which fueled her addiction.
Soon enough, Sian was secretly indulging in slot games on her mobile late into the night while her husband slept beside her, worrying about how to recover her mounting losses. She confessed to feeling the impact of the relentless promotional emails and notifications from the app.
As her addiction deepened, Sian resorted to payday loans and new credit cards to sustain her habit. Struggling to keep up with payments, she resorted to stealing from her workplace to fund her gambling. Sian admitted to the wrongful nature of her actions but justified them in her mind, thinking she could repay the money once she won big.
In total, Sian estimates her losses from gambling to be around £400,000 over four years, factoring in loans, credit card debts, and embezzled funds. Juggling her double life, she concealed her nighttime gambling from her spouse, spending restless nights consumed by her addiction.
The shame surrounding her compulsive behavior initially hindered Sian from seeking help. However, a sequence of events in 2018, including losing her job and discovering her pregnancy, prompted her to turn to Beacon Counselling Trust (BCT) for assistance.
After serving nearly a year in prison for embezzling over £320,000, Sian emerged determined to help others grappling with gambling addiction. She underwent counseling in prison and later earned a degree in criminology and psychology, now working to support individuals facing similar challenges at Beacon.
Sian highlights the escalating gambling addiction crisis in Merseyside, urging for greater awareness and intervention. BCT has observed a significant rise in referrals and demand for services, particularly in areas like Walton in Liverpool.
She stresses the need for recognizing the signs of harmful gambling practices and emphasizes the importance of education and support in combating addiction. Sian’s advocacy aligns with the launch of a public-health campaign by Chapter One and Liverpool City Council aimed at raising awareness about the risks associated with modern gambling practices.
The collaborative effort seeks to educate young individuals about the manipulative strategies employed by gambling companies and promote responsible gambling habits. The campaign aims to reduce stigma, empower the youth, and foster a healthier community in Liverpool.
The initiative will be extensively promoted on social media platforms in the coming weeks, with support from local partners like NHS North West Gambling Service, marking a united effort to address gambling harm and promote well-being in the region.
