Gamcare Isle of Man has offered nearly 3,000 appointments since 2011.

Lyndsey Smart, deputy director, added that 90 per cent of the people they see are self referrals looking for help to deal with their addiction.

She said: ‘Our main role at Gamcare Isle of Man is to help people impacted by their own gambling and also others such as families and children of problem gamblers because the impact is far and wide.’

She said problem gambling was often hidden so families were not aware of a problem until it was at crisis point.

She added: ‘It can have quite devastating effects on families.

‘We are talking about things like financial problems but also the impact on relationships, on work , trust, it’s far reaching.

‘The work we do is very important.’

She said she was delighted to be invited to the special event at Noa Bakehouse.

She said: ‘This is a perfect opportunity to thank the industry because the donations we have received from them has been absolutely fantastic.

‘Without the support of people such as SMP Partners and the industry we would not survive.

‘As part of Responsible Gambling Week we are going to SMP Partners to deliver a training workshop for staff on the awareness of problem gambling, things such as the signs to look out for and also the impacts of what problem gambling can do.’

Lyndsey said social responsibility in gambling is a hot topic right now and it is not about saying gambling is wrong or bad.

‘It is recognising that there are some people who struggle to gamble responsibly.

‘This is a collaboration. This is the industry and us working together to help the casualties.’