We can all learn how to be a better friend to a fellow bettor in need

A problem shared is a problem halved, but how can you do that if you are unaware there is a problem in the first place? And that is one of the scariest aspects of problem gambling – it can be hidden until it is too late.

We probably have a picture in our head of an alcoholic or a drug addict but what about someone whose betting has spiralled out of control?

In my mind it's a guy stuck to a FOBT. He's feeding the machine for as long as he is allowed, stopping only to blindly back the favourite in a dog race. It's just not true.

Problem gamblers come in all forms and when looking at where to start on this column, briefed how to be a better friend to a bettor, I wanted to get into the mind of somebody who you wouldn't know had an issue.

Help was at hand from my colleague Ian Wilkerson, who interviewed Trent Peek for an article on FreeSuperTips. Peek, 30, is chief executive of a group of five companies in Nottingham. He is also a recovering addict who sought help from GamCare and wants to share his experiences.

It's fair to say Peek was not the definition of a mug punter. He won enough money betting on football for it to be deemed his job, a job that enabled him to buy a flat and a car. He was living the dream, until it turned into a nightmare of deceit, hiding his addiction from friends and family as he chased losses.

"With gambling, the more you do it and the worse the situation gets, the better you become at hiding it," Peek explains. "You may have lost £5,000 in the toilet but you come out, put a face on and no one will ever really know."

Peek sets a scene that will be familiar to many reading this.

"I was at a mate's house, his parents were away and we were having a few beers." Nothing out of the ordinary to this point you may think, only Peek also dropped £24,000 betting on the Europa League that evening.

"I had £6,000 on Villarreal to score the next goal. It was just crazy but no one in the room knew I had lost it."

With the help of GamCare, Peek has turned his life around and as well as professional guidance he believes talking to his friends has played a significant part in the recovery process.

"It will be the worst thing ever, but they are the people who love you and will always be there for you and, once you've had that initial conversation, they will be the people who will support you.

"I remember going to the pub with a load of my mates and coming out about it by telling them I had a gambling problem. There were seven of us and two others said they thought they had a gambling problem too. I'm sure they would never have said that if I hadn't."

Jurgen Klopp: Anfield supremo the master of the art of 'gegenpress'Credit: Shaun Botterill

Not every person will find the strength to tell their friends. Nine hours on why Ole is out of his depth at United is easy – talk about a real issue and the conversation swiftly moves on to some dodgy video someone has seen on WhatsApp. Even writing this is awkward. Give me 500 words on Jurgen Klopp's 'gegenpress' any day.

Betting is my number one hobby so I am surrounded by other punters. It's been the same for as long as I can remember – I knew the ins and outs of a football coupon long before I flopped in my GCSEs – and punters are typically the best of people but it is the responsibility of us all to look out for friends in need.

Perhaps it is the subtle changes. The relay dash between pub and betting shop on a Saturday is now much less about the pints, or maybe they are turning down social events due to a lack of cash. Possibly there is a sudden interest in the result of Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

I can look back in regret at light-hearted mocking when someone staked smaller than I considered a proper bet, or laughing when asking someone, "How's the punting going?" and it's followed by a tale of woe.

That's not coming from a place of cruelty, more a natural reaction for those of us who don't want to have that chat. Laugh it off, dust yourself down and win it back tomorrow.

For the vast majority of people I know that is the case and long-term their expert decisions will pay dividends rather than short-term results, but on reflection what can be lost by at least suggesting they could take a break?

Perhaps you even have to be direct. "Do you think you may have a gambling problem?"

Hopefully they don't, but at least it starts the conversation and the other person knows you are open to having the difficult talk.

"Having someone asking me bluntly if I had gambled that week was a good thing for me," Peek said during his sessions with GamCare.

On reflection I can definitely be a better friend to a fellow bettor. Can you?

Read more:

'People suffering harm can sound very confident they don't have a problem'

Be honest with yourself and record all your bets to help stay in control

'If a customer started betting £200 each-way you'd say, that's not like you'

Why all punters should be paying attention to Safer Gambling Week

Breaking the invisible barrier: the stigma of talking about problem gambling

Women and gambling – are the right actions in place to tackle a growing problem?

Safeguarding gambling industry staff is overdue and needs to become a priority

The Racing Post fully supports Safer Gambling Week and acknowledges it as an excellent opportunity for us all to reflect on whether we keep our gambling in check. Although Safer Gambling Week is only seven days, its message is ongoing and remains important. We have lots of resources available on our dedicated Safer Gambling page and more details can be found at safergamblinguk.org.