A mother's life was shattered when her gambling addiction led to prison. Sian Mclear-Dyer, 36, from Wallasey, had previously gambled at the races but became hooked after a night out at the bingo with colleagues around 2015. Sian, a finance manager for a property law firm, started receiving promotions and spins from the bingo app, leading to a secret addiction. She would stay up all night, playing slots on her phone while her husband slept. Sian's spending spiraled, leading to payday loans, credit card debt, and eventually, stealing from work to cover her losses. She lost an estimated £400,000 over four years, including money from loans, credit cards, and stolen funds. Sian's addiction caused her to 'live two lives,' keeping her spending a secret from her husband. She felt ashamed and couldn't stop, even trying to quit by interviewing with other firms. Two events in 2018 pushed her to seek help: being fired and discovering she was pregnant. Sian found solace at Beacon Counselling Trust, who 'saved her life.' However, she faced legal consequences for stealing over £320,000, serving a year in prison from 2019 to 2020. In prison, she helped others with similar issues and earned a BA in criminology and psychology. Sian now works as an education and brief intervention lead at Beacon, raising awareness about gambling addiction in Merseyside. The charity has seen an 810% rise in third-party referrals and engaged with over 20,000 individuals. Sian emphasizes the importance of recognizing the signs of dangerous gambling and the growing issue of addiction, especially among younger people. A new public-health campaign, 'If I only knew,' aims to expose the manipulative design of modern gambling and empower young people to make healthier choices.
