We know that gambling impacts everyone differently. However, there are some signs that can help you tell if someone is experiencing gambling problems, also known as 'gambling addiction'.
People experiencing gambling harms might find it hard to stop or reduce gambling. This might lead to them spending more time and money on gambling than they can afford.
Chasing losses means trying to win back money that has been lost through gambling.
It might be tempting to try and chase losses, especially straight after experiencing a large loss, but this often leads to even bigger losses.
Gambling can have an impact on how someone feels, regardless of how much they gamble.
People experiencing gambling harms might feel they have little or no control over it. This can lead to feeling guilt, shame or low self-esteem.
They might also:
If someone is experiencing gambling harms they might think or talk about gambling more than other aspects of their life.
This can lead to problems with work and relationships because they might:
When someone is gambling, it might start to impact their:
A symptom of problems with gambling could be someone acting in ways that might seem out of character or feel hard to explain. It can also cause people to seem more distant or quieter than normal.
If you find that gambling is causing relationship issues, Relate have practical advice that can help your rebuild relationships.
Gambling can cause feelings of shame. This can lead to people keeping their gambling a secret out of a fear of being judged, but this often makes it easier to lose track of time or money.
Talking openly about gambling can be a great starting point to help people who might be experiencing gambling harms.
people think they know someone who has experienced gambling harms.
If you or someone you care about needs help with problem gambling, the National Gambling Support Network can help. They offer treatment, advice and support for people affected by gambling. All their services are free, non-judgemental and confidential.
If you’re worried that someone you know is experiencing gambling harms, you're not alone. There are lots of ways you can support them, and yourself.
All gambling carries some risk, but some types of gambling carry more risk than others.
If you're not sure you or someone you know is experiencing gambling harms, knowing what types of gambling are linked to harms can help.
Unfortunately, this service is for UK residents only. You can find out more about international support here.