Recognise the warning signs of problem gambling in yourself or others. Covers behavioural, financial, and emotional indicators, plus where to get help.
What Is Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling (also called gambling disorder) is characterised by persistent, uncontrolled gambling that causes significant disruption to daily life — financial, social, professional, or psychological. It exists on a spectrum from "at-risk" gambling through to severe disorder.
The key distinction from recreational gambling is the loss of control: gambling despite wanting to stop, chasing losses, and continuing even when consequences are serious.
Behavioural Warning Signs
- Spending more time gambling than intended, or being unable to stop at a planned point
- Returning to gamble again to win back money lost ("chasing losses")
- Thinking about gambling constantly — planning the next session, reliving past wins
- Needing to gamble with larger amounts to get the same excitement
- Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble or have lost
- Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, or low mood
- Feeling irritable, restless, or anxious when trying to cut down
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
Financial Warning Signs
- Gambling with money intended for bills, rent, or groceries
- Borrowing money from friends or family for gambling (with or without telling them)
- Taking out loans, using credit cards, or selling possessions to fund gambling
- Unexplained financial difficulties despite a regular income
- Secretive behaviour about bank accounts, credit card statements, or cash
Emotional & Psychological Signs
- Feeling guilty, ashamed, or distressed after gambling sessions
- Gambling to cope with depression, loneliness, grief, or anxiety
- Swings between euphoria when winning and deep despair when losing
- Increased irritability, relationship conflict, or social withdrawal
- In severe cases, hopelessness or suicidal thoughts linked to gambling losses
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact a crisis line immediately: Samaritans (UK/Ireland) 116 123 · Lifeline (Australia) 13 11 14 · Crisis Services Canada 1-833-456-4566.
The CAGE-G Screening Questions
A quick self-assessment adapted from clinical screening tools. Answer honestly:
- Cut down: Have you felt the need to cut down on your gambling?
- Annoyed: Have people annoyed you by criticising your gambling?
- Guilty: Have you felt guilty about your gambling?
- Eye-opener: Have you gambled first thing in the morning or to feel better?
Two or more "yes" answers suggest a gambling problem worth addressing. One "yes" indicates at-risk behaviour.
More detailed screening tools include the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) available through gambling help organisations.
Recognising Problem Gambling in Someone Else
It can be harder to spot in others, particularly because people with gambling problems often hide the behaviour. Signs to watch for:
- Unexplained financial problems, requests to borrow money, or evasiveness about finances
- Secretive phone use or frequent absences with vague explanations
- Mood swings — excitement followed by withdrawal, irritability, or depression
- Disappearing for extended periods, particularly late at night
- Neglecting work, family, or social commitments
What to Do If You're Concerned
For yourself:
- Use the responsible gambling tools at any licensed casino — deposit limits, session limits, cooling-off periods — immediately.
- Consider self-exclusion via your national scheme (GamStop in the UK, Spelpaus in Sweden, etc.).
- Contact a free helpline — talking to someone trained in gambling harm can help clarify your situation.
- Seek professional support. GPs can refer to NHS gambling clinics (UK). Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has strong evidence for gambling disorder.
For someone else: Approach with concern rather than accusation. Focus on specific behaviours you've observed rather than labelling. Offer to help them find support rather than ultimatums. See our guide on talking to a family member about gambling for more detail.
Free Support Services
- UK: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133 (24/7) · GamCare gamcare.org.uk · GamAnon gamanon.org.uk (for family/friends)
- Australia: Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858 · gamblinghelponline.org.au
- Canada: ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 · Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario
- New Zealand: Gambling Helpline 0800 654 655
- International: Gamblers Anonymous gamblersanonymous.org · Gordon Moody gordonmoody.org.uk
FAQ
- Is problem gambling a mental health condition?
- Yes. Gambling disorder is recognised in the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association) and ICD-11 (World Health Organisation) as a behavioural addiction with similar neurological pathways to substance use disorders.
- Can problem gambling get better without professional help?
- Some people reduce or stop gambling without formal treatment. However, professional support — particularly CBT — significantly improves outcomes. Free NHS gambling clinics are available in the UK.
- How is problem gambling different from recreational gambling?
- The key difference is control. Recreational gamblers can stop when they choose, don't chase losses compulsively, and don't gamble with money they can't afford to lose. Problem gambling is defined by the inability to reliably do these things.
- Does winning a lot increase the risk of developing a problem?
- Paradoxically, early wins can increase risk. They create a distorted sense of how likely wins are and can make gambling feel like a viable income source. The "big win" early in a gambling career is a recognised risk factor.