Anyone is at risk of developing a gambling problem and becoming addicted. It can turn from being a harmless fun habit into a serious obsession with serious consequences. In this article, we will talk about exactly what gambling addiction is and how to recognise the signs of a potential problem. We shall then offer advice on how to stay in control of your gambling, including tools available on websites. We shall also explain what to do if you believe you may have a problem.
Gambling Addiction - What it is
A gambling addiction is just like any addiction in that it involves an inability to control the urge to gamble, despite the negative impact it is having. Being unable to stop can have a severe impact on a person and those close to them. A serious gambling condition can destroy lives, although many people who struggle have found professional treatment very helpful.
What are the signs of Gambling Addiction
Recognising when someone has a gambling addiction can be difficult, but there are a number of signs to look out for. Here, we shall cover the most common signs that someone might have a gambling problem.
Spending more time gambling
With the various ways to gamble, these days it's very easy to increase the amount of time you spend betting without even noticing it's happening. The best practice is to keep a record of when you start gambling and set yourself a time limit. If you find yourself breaking this time limit and then potentially neglecting another area of life, it could be a sign of an issue. Most sites have a Responsible Gambling tool called a reality check, which will remind you after a set period of time how long you have been gambling to help you stay on track.
Spending more money gambling
Of course, purely from a financial point of view, it's vital when gambling to never bet with money that you can't comfortably afford to lose. If you spend funds you cannot afford to lose because they are needed elsewhere, this can soon lead to a serious problem. Another Responsible Gambling tool is often available: setting a deposit limit, a loss limit, or both on your account. These tools work by letting you set a limit you are comfortable with. The casino or sportsbook won’t allow you to deposit more than the amount you have chosen, and when your losses reach that limit, it will stop you from betting further.
Chasing Losses
Chasing losses is a clear sign that you may have an addiction. As mentioned already, you should only bet with money you can afford to lose. If you are chasing to win back money you have lost, it suggests you have bet with money you should not have, and this can quickly escalate into a serious problem. Once again, setting deposit and/or loss limits on your account can help to ensure you never bet more than you can afford to lose.
Feeling Restless or Irritable
This covers a number of potential signs, from sleeping problems if someone is thinking about gambling more and more to a change in someone's general mood, such as getting worried, upset or agitated for no reason.
Lying about Gambling Habits
Lying about the amount of time or money you spend gambling is another sign that there may be an issue. Especially if this goes as far as borrowing money for gambling, but lying about why you are asking to borrow the money.
What can I do if I think I have a gambling addiction?
So if you think you may have a gambling addiction, the first thing to do is to stop gambling and seek help. If you are experiencing any of the issues we mentioned in the previous section, it is certainly time to seek advice.
Firstly, we suggest that you check any gambling sites you are registered with to see if they have a “Take A Break” tool. If so, you should activate this. It suspends your account for a set period. It can be anything from 1 day to 6 months, depending on the site.
Or for a long-term fix, you can see if there is a self-exclusion tool that blocks your account for 6 months to 5 years.
Both tools work similarly and prevent you from accessing your account.
Next, you should seek help. There are a number of organisations out there that can help
- Gamblers Anonymous (Philippines) - gaphilippines.com
- BeGambleAware (Global) - begambleaware.org
- Gambling Therapy (Global) - gamblingtherapy.org
- National Council on Problem Gambling (Global) - ncpgambling.org
FAQ. Frequently Asked Questions
💡 What is the main cause of gambling addiction?
There is no single reason why someone may develop a gambling addiction. There are often multiple factors involved, and everyone is different. As soon as gambling becomes anything other than a bit of fun with spare funds, you should stop gambling and seek advice.
💡 Where can I find help for my gambling addiction?
There is a list of organisations in this article that will offer advice on how to overcome a gambling problem.
💡 How can I stop myself from gambling?
Most betting websites have a self-exclusion option. You can activate this Responsible Gambling tool, which will suspend your account for a set period of time, and you won’t be able to access your account. Although the problem is likely deeper so once you have suspended your account, seek further help.
💡 Can gambling addicts recover?
Yes, although it isn't a quick process, it takes patience and a lot of support, including therapy, support groups, and medication.
Author
Sarah JonesUK content writer and gambling researcher
Sarah has been researching and writing for a long time now and take tremendous pride in her work. Facts are checked, bookies are tested, and the results are there for all to see. In her free time she has a passion for football, and is the goalkeeper for one of her local women's teams.
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