How to Know When I Have a Gambling Problem?

Any form of gambling – online and offline – whether it includes sports wagering or casino games can cause huge addiction.

 A fun-filled activity we use to pass time and to add an excitement element to our everyday routine can, however, come back to haunt the most vulnerable ones who fail to recognise signs of a gambling addiction.

In order to avoid getting derailed from the constraints of responsible gambling which in its core includes self-control, a punter should try to follow a strict set of rules.

Bet with What You Have

Money management is one of the essentials of responsible gambling. Make sure to only gamble with money you can afford to lose without going too deep. Winning can easily trick you into thinking you got a full hang of all tricks and kicks when it comes to gambling and it won’t be too long before you are putting in your hard-earned cash without any control.

Quit While You Can

Recognising the right moment to stop and take a breather is another important aspect of gambling addiction prevention. A winning streak doesn’t mean your gambling skills have been perfected but a losing streak as well can not be put against a test of faith and belief that ‘it has to end eventually’. Knowing when to stop is the essential aspect of self-control.

Don’t Chase Losses

If you fail to recognise the right moment to call quits, you’ll end up being swallowed in an endless race of chasing losses. It’s arguably the quickest way to lose money and the quickest way to cross the point of no return. The more you spend, the more you’ll lose – it’s just how gambling works. When on a losing streak, people would often resort to betting big which is the worst thing they can do. It’s only likely to plunge you in an even deeper hole you’ll have big trouble getting out of.

Identifying the gambling issue – with yourself and with people around you as well – is the first step toward recovery.

Listed below are key factors that will help you identify a gambling addiction:

• Spending more than one can afford
• Borrowing money from friends and family to use on gambling
• Neglecting responsibilities to have time to gamble
• Constantly talking about gambling
• Losing interest in casual daily activities, hobbies
• Aggression, anxiety, irritability

Identifying a gambling addiction might just be the most difficult thing on road to recovery. Each next step will make it less difficult and troublesome. Once you’ve acknowledged a problem and came clean to yourselves, simply start by opening your heart to a friend or family.

An extensive range of organisations is also here to turn to. Completely free of charge and fully supportive in their approach, without ever judging you, the likes of the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, GambleAware, Gamcare, or the National Problem Gambling Clinic could be a great starting point where you will find valuable advice and help to deal with your problem. 

Links to other support agencies