Gambling is when you stake something of value – like money or goods – on an event with a chance outcome that’s out of your control or influence. It’s an activity that’s been around for centuries and has long had a mixed reputation. It has been popular in many cultures, but it’s also been a serious cause of harm in some people. Gambling can lead to financial stress, relationship breakdown, poor health and performance at work or school, and even suicide. And it can affect those close to the gambler too – including family and friends, children and colleagues.
Often, there are no obvious signs or symptoms that someone is gambling too much. That’s because problem gambling is often a hidden addiction. But, there are warning signs that you can look out for. These include:
Does your loved one ever gamble to escape worries or boredom? Do they often lose track of time while gambling? Do they make plans for the future based on their gambling? Do they lie about or hide debts or spending from those around them? Do they try to regain lost money by gambling more, and more often?
A person may be considered to have a gambling disorder when they exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:
Feels restless or anxious when attempting to reduce or stop gambling. Needs to bet more and more money to achieve the same excitement. Feels compelled to gamble even when they’re feeling low. Frequently lies to others about how much they’re gambling or spends more than they can afford to win.
While gambling has a long history, it’s become a lot more mainstream in recent years and it is now legal in most countries. This has contributed to a significant increase in the number of people experiencing gambling-related harms.
The most common types of gambling include lottery, sports betting and casino games. People can play these games online, on mobile devices or in physical casinos. They can also place bets on events such as television shows and political elections. The rules of these games can vary from country to country, but they all have a common element: risk and an unknown outcome.
Compulsive gambling can affect anyone, but it’s more common in certain groups. For example, it’s more common in men than women, and it tends to start earlier in life – as a teenager or young adult. It’s also more likely if people have close relatives with gambling problems. This is because a person’s environment and the way that they are treated can impact their behaviour. So, if a family member has a gambling problem, it’s important for others to take care of their own wellbeing. This could mean not sharing bank cards, or updating passwords if you share these with a partner or other family members. It could also mean not paying the bills for a family member who’s gambling too much. This might help them to regain control of their finances and prevent further harm from occurring.
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