Case study: Confessions of 'a punter'

STEVEN Nisbet, a 31-year-old health worker, describes himself as a "punter" who will happily bet as much as £500 on the outcome of a single football match. But he does not regard himself as a "problem gambler".

Mr Nisbet, from Paisley, started gambling on fruit machines in his teens but soon moved on to sports betting. He has about eight accounts with bookmakers, whether online or via telephone betting.

"During the World Cup last year I put on some 500 bets, but I won a lot," he said. "I'll only bet on teams if I'm sure I'll win, so although the odds aren't good, you've got a low chance of losing."

Ordinarily, he places a weekly pools coupon to the value of 20 or 30, which he will lose most weeks. Mr Nisbet, who has gambled less frequently since moving in with his girlfriend two years ago, said:. "I would classify problem gambling as betting more than the money you have, but I try to work out a budget for it."