Lewis Hamilton’s Brother Reveals Gambling Addiction Struggles

Despite coming from a legendary racing family, Nicolas Hamilton also had to deal with the effects of gambling addiction.

The Younger Hamilton Talks About His Gambling Addiction

Nicolas, the 33-year-old brother of seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, admits that at his lowest point, gambling had left him nearly penniless. After seeking support from the Samaritans and eventually turning to his family, he has since emerged from the “dark spot” that betting pulled him into. Now, Nicolas is dedicated to helping others who are working to overcome similar struggles.

In a recent interview, Nicolas said that it all started with a simple bet on football. Nicolas said that it happened when he was watching an Arsenal game, and he decided to bet a few pounds on the team. Speaking of which, FIFA has been blamed for the increase in underage gambling in the UK recently. 

Despite being a small bet initially, this pushed Nicolas to go on websites and see more online gambling in live casinos. He explained that the wins got him fired up, but he didn’t feel too bothered by the losses. Nicolas said that he started living a parallel life from that point and entered a “dark spot.”

How Did Nicolas Overcome His Gambling Addiction?

According to Nicolas, who is a racing driver in the British Touring Car Championship, he found himself caught in the trap of trying to recover his finances by placing even more bets, only to end up losing everything. At this point, he realized something had to be done. 

However, he explained it was not easy as he didn’t have a clear career path and felt that no one truly cared about his ambitions or direction. He clarified that he wasn’t referring to his family, but rather to society in general. Feeling completely lost, he eventually reached out to the Samaritans, who encouraged him to open up to his parents. It was their unwavering support, he said, that ultimately helped pull him out of that dark place.

Nicolas Now Raises Awareness of Gambling Harm

Following his recovery, Nicolas teamed up with football commentator Clive Tyldesley and the Football Supporters’ Association to back ongoing GambleAware initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of gambling harm. The organization has recently been raising awareness about the intrusion of gambling ads into people’s daily lives. 

Nicolas explained that their goal is to highlight the challenges surrounding gambling advertising and its widespread impact on individuals affected by gambling harm. He emphasized that gambling is affecting a large number of people across the UK, regardless of age. In his view, individuals as young as 12 are being exposed to gambling in various forms, largely due to pervasive marketing and advertising throughout the country.

Nicolas concluded by saying that while it may be difficult, people must make the first steps to recovery. Nicolas acknowledged that not everyone has the support of a family, but encouraged those who don’t to reach out to supportive charities. He emphasized that there are many organizations available and countless others facing similar struggles. His message was clear: no one should feel alone—help is out there, and support is within reach.