The Importance of Awareness
For most people, gambling is a form of entertainment. But for some, it can develop into a harmful pattern that affects finances, relationships, mental health, and daily life. Recognising the warning signs early — in yourself or someone you care about — is the most important step toward getting back in control.
This guide is informational and educational. If you are concerned about your gambling behaviour, please seek support from a qualified professional or a dedicated helpline.
What Is Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling (also referred to as gambling disorder) is characterised by a persistent, recurrent pattern of gambling that causes significant distress or impairment. It exists on a spectrum — from occasional harmful gambling to a fully compulsive disorder — and can affect people of any background, income level, or experience.
Common Warning Signs
The following behaviours may indicate that gambling has moved beyond recreation:
Financial Warning Signs
- Betting with money intended for bills, rent, or food.
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling.
- Hiding financial transactions or accounts from family members.
- Chasing losses — continuously gambling to recover previous losses.
Emotional and Behavioural Signs
- Feeling restless, anxious, or irritable when not gambling.
- Using gambling as an escape from stress, depression, or problems.
- Lying to family, friends, or employers about time or money spent gambling.
- Failed attempts to cut down or stop gambling.
- Neglecting responsibilities, relationships, or hobbies.
Self-Assessment: Questions to Ask Yourself
The following questions are adapted from widely recognised screening tools used by mental health professionals. If you answer "yes" to several of these, speaking with a counsellor is recommended:
- Do you gamble more than you can afford to lose?
- Do you need to gamble with larger amounts to feel the same excitement?
- Have you tried to stop gambling but found it difficult?
- Do you gamble to escape problems or relieve negative feelings?
- Have you lied to people close to you about your gambling?
- Has gambling caused financial, work, or relationship problems?
Responsible Gambling Tools Available to You
Licensed online gambling operators are required to provide tools that support player wellbeing. Use them proactively — not only in crisis:
- Deposit limits: Cap how much you can fund your account daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Loss limits: Restrict how much you can lose in a set period.
- Session time limits: Set maximum play durations with reminders or hard stops.
- Reality checks: On-screen notifications showing how long you've been playing.
- Self-exclusion: Voluntarily block yourself from one or multiple platforms for a set period (or permanently).
- Account cooling-off periods: Temporary breaks without full self-exclusion.
National Self-Exclusion Schemes
Many countries operate national self-exclusion registers that allow you to block yourself from all licensed operators at once. In the UK, GamStop is the national scheme. Similar programmes exist in many other jurisdictions. Contact your local gambling regulator for information specific to your region.
Support Resources
If you or someone you know needs help, the following types of organisations provide free, confidential support:
- National problem gambling helplines — available in most countries, often 24/7.
- Gamblers Anonymous — peer-support groups following a 12-step recovery model.
- GamCare (UK) — counselling, online chat, and forum support.
- BeGambleAware (UK) — information, tools, and access to treatment services.
- Mental health professionals — therapists and counsellors specialising in behavioural addictions.
Remember: Help Is Available
Problem gambling is a recognised health condition, not a personal failing. Recovery is possible with the right support. The sooner you reach out, the more options are available to you. You don't need to be in crisis to ask for help — early intervention is almost always more effective.