Hi Holdy, well done on posting here.
I hope you cdan be honest wiht your mate – trying to keep things hidden can in itself send peole gambling. I would also ask him not to lend you money in the future.
Talk to your friends. it is up to you if/how much you tell them about your problem but it is important that you tell them you have decided to stop gambling. Don’t get inmto the gambling conversations – a few “I’m not interested”s usually does the trick. If they are reall friends then you will have other things you can talk about.
Maybe find another pub. When you do go to have a drink though just take enough money to cover your beers – that way any gambling will have an immediate consequence of not being able to have a drink. Get banned from your local bookies/whereever it is you usually gamble.
Use support – keep posting here, get to Gamblers Anonymous, talk to your Dr about counselling. Find the support that works for you.