'Odds Are They Win' campaign kicks off exposing gambling harms
During the World Cup there will be 104 matches scheduled, many of which take place late at night in the UK due to time difference. This means there is an increased risk for solitary, mobile betting during the tournament and a greater risk of immediate financial and emotional harm.
Matches will be shown on even more channels than usual during the tournament, with licensed gambling operators livestreaming World Cup matches directly within their mobile betting applications and providing live match feeds inside these apps. This will have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, our Barnet community, and wider society.
With an established link between gambling and suicide and betting products frequently a dominant factor, there is a risk that we may see more people experiencing suicidal thoughts, attempts, and death by suicide during the tournament.
‘Odds Are They Win', led by the North Central London Gambling Harms Alliance, is a collaboration headed by Mind in Haringey, involving five local authorities including Barnet Council, Thrive LDN and Progress Health Partnerships.
The campaign aims to counteract the high volume of gambling advertising expected during the tournament and to make it easier for people experiencing gambling harm to access support services.
Gambling can detrimentally affect anyone. The message is simple: it's not your fault, you're not alone, and confidential support is available.
If you, or someone you know, is affected by gambling harms, vital support and further information is available from Chapter One.
As part of the campaign, the Zero Suicide Alliance and Thrive LDN will host a free 90-minute live online workshop on Monday, 15 June 2026, focused on gambling harms and suicide prevention. The content for the session has been jointly developed with Chapter One.
Open to professionals, partners and members of the public, the session will offer practical guidance on spotting when someone may be struggling and how to begin a supportive conversation. You can register for this session via Eventbrite.
You can find out more about the ‘Odds Are They Win’ campaign on the Mind in Haringey website by clicking on the pink 'Find out more' button below.
