What is Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling is a compulsion to continue gambling despite the negative consequences it may have.
This behaviour can seriously impact the gambler as well as those closest to them. On top of the potential financial impact it can also cause stress, depression, and anxiety.
If gambling is affecting you or someone you know in this manner, it is considered a gambling problem.
What we can do is help you to identify behaviour that might suggest you should seek professional advice.
Stay in Control. Bet Sensibly
If you are unsure whether your (or someone else’s) gambling has become a cause for concern, please ask yourself the following:
Ability to stop;
- Have you tried to stop gambling and found that you can’t?
- Affecting your relationships;
- Is gambling making your home life unhappy or affecting how you behave with your friends or work colleagues?
Gambling reasons;
- Do you find yourself gambling with money that you need for other purposes, gambling to pay bills or any other reason other than recreational?
Gambling behaviour;
- Have you borrowed or sold anything to gamble, chased losses by increasing the size and frequency of your bets or found yourself gambling to escape worry or trouble?
Personality change;
- Do you find that you become more aggressive, anxious, or irritable when you are gambling or trying to cut down on gambling?
- Unsociable behaviour?
- Have you ever committed or considered committing an illegal act to finance gambling?
Help;
- Have you found the need before to seek help with a problem that was caused by gambling?
If you were to answer yes to 2 or more of these questions above, we would suggest that you seek advice by either by contacting a professional problem gambling support service – https://www.begambleaware.org/ or by speaking to a family member or friend.
Organisations Who Can Help
If you believe you may have a problem with gambling, or know someone who does, please seek help with the below confidential organisations.
These support organisations specialise in assisting problem gamblers, and will offer you the right support and advice and help you combat this problem.
The following organisations are available to provide free and confidential advice on matters of problem gambling.
GamCare
GamCare is a registered charity that provides information and advice to anyone suffering through a gambling problem.
GamCare operates a national telephone and online helplines and provides both face to face and online counselling.
GamCare can be contacted on 0808 8020 133 (Freephone), 0845 6000 133 (local rate from UK) – http://www.gamcare.org.uk/
Gamble Aware
Gambleaware promote responsibility in gambling and to provide the facts about gambling in an accessible manner.
They support programmes that help prevent problem gambling, to minimise gambling-related harm and to support those in need – https://www.begambleaware.org/
Gambling Therapy
Gambling Therapy offer online support to non-UK residents addicted to gambling and those who show problematic gambling behaviour. Further information can be found at www.gamblingtherapy.org
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous provide confidential telephone support and face-to-face counselling to anyone who is affected by problem gambling. Further information can be found at https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/
