A mother found herself imprisoned after what started as a harmless bingo evening turned into a serious gambling problem, leading her to commit theft at her workplace.
Sian Mclear-Dyer, aged 36 and residing in Wallasey, had previously dabbled in betting at horse races but became deeply engrossed in gambling after joining a bingo session with colleagues around 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 quickly captivated her.
In a matter of months, she began staying up late at night in secret, playing slot games on her phone while her spouse slept beside her. This habit led to sleepless nights as she worried about recovering her losses.
Reflecting on her experience to the Liverpool Echo, Sian shared how a seemingly innocent spin game at the bingo escalated into a severe addiction, causing her to exhaust her earnings. She resorted to payday loans and new credit cards to fuel her habit, eventually resorting to stealing from her employer as she struggled to keep up with repayments.
Sian admitted that she lost approximately £400,000 over four years due to gambling, including loans, credit card debts, and the money she embezzled from her workplace. Throughout this period, she lived a double life, concealing her excessive spending from her husband while gambling into the early hours of the morning.
The shame and embarrassment surrounding her addiction initially hindered her from seeking help. However, two pivotal events in 2018—a job loss and the news of her pregnancy—prompted her to seek support. With guidance from Beacon Counselling Trust (BCT), she was able to turn her life around, crediting the organization with saving her.
Despite her triumph over addiction, Sian faced legal consequences for embezzling over £320,000 from her workplace. She served nearly a year in prison between 2019 and 2020, initially separated from her newborn son before he was allowed to join her in a mother and baby unit.
During her incarceration, Sian completed a counseling course to assist others grappling with similar issues. Following her release, she earned a BA in criminology and psychology from Liverpool John Moores University. Currently, she works as an education and brief intervention lead at Beacon, the organization that provided her with vital support during her challenging times.
Sian is now vocal about the escalating gambling addiction crisis in Merseyside, echoing concerns raised by Beacon Counselling Trust about the surge in referrals and the demand for services, particularly in areas like Walton in Liverpool.
Her cautionary tale coincides with the launch of a public-health campaign targeting the deceptive tactics of modern gambling and featuring firsthand accounts of individuals affected by gambling harm. This initiative, named “If I only knew,” aims to educate young people on the manipulative strategies employed by gambling companies and the advantages of seeking help and quitting the habit.
The campaign, developed by Chapter One in partnership with Liverpool City Council, seeks to reduce stigma, empower the youth, and promote healthier lifestyles by addressing the commercial determinants of gambling harm.
Over the coming weeks, the campaign will be visible on various social media platforms, supported by local entities such as the NHS North West Gambling Service, which runs a clinic in Liverpool City Centre.