PlayOJO Team Up with TOWIE Star for ‘Compulsion’ Campaign

Gambling addiction can be hard to spot, however, there are early signs that can indicate you or someone close to you has a gambling problem. PlayOJO, to coincide with Safer Gambling Week, have created a campaign with the help of a recovery gambling addict and a reality TV star Gemma Collins, to highlight an issue that may not be visible, but it’s definitely there.

It’s not the first time PlayOJO have teamed up with the big-hearted TOWIE star, back in the summer, a drive-thru bingo event took place in Manchester and Gemma was there from start to finish to entertain the drivers. Problem gambling can be extremely difficult to admit, let alone overcome, which is why she was more than happy to jump on-board with this safer gambling initiative.

“I’ve been around addicts in my life and drug addictions and alcoholism can be pretty easy to spot. Problem gambling often hides in plain sight, and we need to raise awareness of the early warning signs so that we can ensure people that are struggling, get the help they need, before it becomes a problem,” said Gemma.

Sniffing Out a Problem

As part of the campaign, Gemma interviewed Ian Semel, the CEO of Breakeven and a former gambling addict. In the interview he explains how he recognised he had an issue and realised he must do something to help other people in the same position as he was in. You can view the clips of the interview on the PlayOJO YouTube page.

‘Compulsion’ is the new faux fragrance from Gemma Collins – you can’t see it, nor smell it, but it’s there and it aims to highlight “addiction with no smell.” An acronym has been thrown together to help concerned players or their loved ones to recognise the signs and to get help which is as follows:

• S – SLEEP – is your loved one struggling to sleep at night?
• M – MONEY – is someone you know inexplicably losing money or struggling financially?
• E – EXTREME – is a family member exhibiting extreme mood swings or have they notably changed their behaviour?
• L – LOSING – is your friend losing interest in the pursuits they have historically enjoyed? Are you struggling to engage them on key elements of your life?
• L – LYING – have you caught out your loved one for not telling the truth recently? Have you been unconvinced by their explanation or feel they are constantly telling lies?

Addiction can be hidden in plain sight and can go…

…undetected, even if it’s someone really close to you. Gemma told PlayOJO: “Problem gambling is a real, growing issue, and one that is often invisible to those around someone who is struggling. You can see drug addiction, you can smell alcoholism, but gambling problems are harder to spot. As the addiction with no smell, we felt launching Compulsion was the perfect symbol to signify the trouble people can have in spotting the signs and help educate people on how to spot them.”

Source: “Gemma Collins on Her New ‘Fragrance’ Compulsion”. PlayOJO. November 19, 2020.