How to spot problem gambling
What is problem gambling?
Whilst for most, gambling remains a fun and leisurely activity, there are a small percentage of people who experience some level of problem gambling and/or gambling-related harm.
There are a number of signs that you can look out for, including:
Considerations about your own gambling:
- Are you preoccupied with gambling and unable to stop?
- Is gambling reducing your time with friends and family or are you removing yourself from social situations so that you can go and place a bet?
- Is gambling an escape from the stresses of everyday life?
- Are you chasing your losses after losing a bet?
- Are you hiding how much you spend on gambling or lying about your activity to friends and family?
What should I look out for if I am concerned about someone else?
Behaviour, mood and relationship signs:
- Withdrawn and uncommunicative
- Finding it hard to do their job
- Quick to snap at you or others for no reason
- Appearing flat, unmotivated or depressed
- Using threats, lies or charm to manipulate others
- Changing behaviours like sleep, eating, alcohol or drug use or sexual activity
Financial signs:
- Often asking for money even though they have a job
- Money missing from joint bank accounts or your purse/wallet
- Valuables like jewellery or household items like TVs or computers suddenly disappear
- Juggling multiple loans and credit cards
- Being secretive about finances
- Unpaid bills/disconnection notices
- Lack of food in the house
Activity signs:
- Being secretive about unexplained absence
- Running late or missing commitments
- Taking lots of sick days or days off
- Taking longer than usual for simple jobs. For example, a quick run to the shops takes a couple of hours