How to spot the signs of a gambling habit

Gambling can be a bit of harmless fun with friends, betting on the outcome of a football match or an occasional flutter on the horses.  The Grand National, happening at Aintree on 5 April, may be the one event you decide to bet on during the year. 

However, for some, gambling can escalate into a habit which can be difficult to control.  Recognising a gambling habit isn’t easy, but there are several signs that may indicate a problem. 

Preoccupation with gambling: 

Constantly thinking about gambling, planning future gambling activities, or reliving past gambling experiences. 

Feeling guilty, anxious or irritable: 

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. 

Increasing bets:  

Needing to gamble with larger amounts of money to achieve the same level of excitement. 

Failed attempts to stop:  

Making repeated unsuccessful efforts to cut back or stop gambling. 

Gambling to escape:  

Using gambling as a means to escape from problems or to relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression. 

Lying:  

Becoming secretive and trying to hide the extent of gambling activities from family and friends. 

Neglecting responsibilities:  

Ignoring work, school, or family obligations due to gambling. 

Mood swings: 

Switching from elation following a win, to feeling very low when the bet doesn’t go the right way. 

Borrowing money:  

Relying on others for money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling. 

 

Do you recognise these signs in yourself or someone else? 

If the answer is yes, the following tips may help. 

Set a spending limit in advance: 

If you’re playing online, you can set a limit on your account. You can also write it down, separate the funds into another account, or tell someone you trust what your limit is, so they can remind you. 

Don't chase your losses: 

If you’ve lost the money that you set as your limit, it’s time to walk away. Trying to win back your losses often leads to even bigger losses, and the chase can start to negatively impact your life. 

Connect with others: 

Don’t be ashamed to talk about how you’re feeling and open up to those close to you. 

Spend time on other activities: 

Gambling can take over your free time.  Try and balance this with other activities or hobbies that you enjoy. 

Getting help for a gambling habit 

If you feel that despite efforts to curb the gambling of yourself or a loved one, you still need help, please check out the services  provided by the Change. If you are ready to take back control, get in touch for immediate, bespoke and confidential support.