Problem Gambling

Problem gambling does not only refer to money loss. This issue affects your entire life as it damages relationships with loved ones, changes your behaviour and develops negative moods such as frustration, anxiety, and stress. For that reason, it’s crucial to practice gambling only as an entertainment activity rather than creating another money source.

You should never let gambling control your life. Thus, it’s essential to practice responsible gambling and keep a balance between betting and other activities that make you happy. 

To do just that, the first thing you have to do is set your own budget and limits. You’ll still have the best betting experience but in a much safer environment. 

10 Common Signs Of A Gambling Problem

Experts call gambling addiction the “hidden illness” as there are no obvious signs that someone suffers from it. This is why many gamblers don’t even realise they have a problem with gambling. What’s more, some will even deny they already struggle with the issue as they are not conscious of it.

In order to help gamblers realise they might struggle with a serious illness, we’ve created a list with ten common signs that indicate the hidden symptoms. 

  1. You spend more money and time than you can afford to lose.
  2. You gamble more to cut your losses.
  3. You lie about the amount of money and time you spend gambling.
  4. You stopped hanging out with your friends and family and spend all your time gambling.
  5. You can only think about gambling.
  6. You gamble all your money away until you run out entirely.
  7. You only get excited about playing online when you up the stake.
  8. You borrow money from friends, family and even loan sharks to use it to gamble.
  9. You lie, steal, cheat or commit any sort of fraud to get money and spend it on casino games.
  10. When you think about it, you get anxious, worried, depressed or guilty about your habits.

Rules to Gambling

The rules for being a responsible gambler are simple. If you didn’t find any early signs of addiction that we mentioned above familiar, then, you’re in the safe zone. This means that you can still set your own boundaries to create a balance between your life and gambling. You are the sole responsible for your mental health and your gambling experience because you should know when to stop and when to keep betting.

You are the main character in this story so keep yourself in the safe zone following the next rules:

  • Never gamble more money than you can afford to lose. 

  • Know when to stop.

  • When it stops being fun, it’s time to take a break.

  • Set money and time limits. 

  • Remember that you are here to have fun, not make money.

  • Don’t gamble if you are not in the right state of mind.

  • Don’t gamble if you are drunk or have taken any drugs.

  • Get help when needed.  

Get Professional Help

In case you’re no longer in the safe zone and feel that some of the signs apply to your situation, it’s best to seek professional help.

The first step, which is also the hardest, is admitting that you have a gambling addiction. It takes a lot of courage to do that.

Once you start your healing process, remember you’re not alone. Professionals await to give you a hand by guiding you and offering proper advice. Your help comes from specialised organisations that have trained staff to assist you at every step.

The organisations we encourage our readers to contact are BeGambleAware, Gambling Therapy, and GamCare.

All these professional centres have well-prepared personnel available to you 24/7. They offer free sessions via phone call, email, live chat, or even in person if you demand it. It’s your choice how you want to approach your problem. 

So, if you’re struggling yourself or you know someone who does it, we encourage you to reach out. Whenever you feel ready to fight your addiction, remember that you’re not alone and there’s always someone to help!