Gambling - do you have a problem?

What is gambling harm?

Gambling harm describes any negative consequence or side effect that comes from gambling. The most obvious type of gambling harm is financial, but there are many others.

Gambling harm can range from mild harms like feelings of regret through to more severe harms such as relationship conflict or reduced work or study performance.

What is problem gambling?

Problem gambling is when betting starts to create trouble in your life, such as debt, relationship problems, job loss, stress or depression, or it gets in the way of other responsibilities in your life.

These problems arise because gambling can be addictive – it can become a habit that you find hard to control, even though you know it’s causing you and your family harm.

Do I have a gambling problem?

It’s sometimes hard to know if your gambling is getting out of hand. A common reaction is to minimise it or deny that it’s causing harm. Some people may hide their gambling or start to lie about how much time and money they are spending on it.

Worried you might have a gambling problem? Take a test.

Signs that you may have a problem with gambling include:

• needing to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling of excitement
• becoming restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling
• making repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
• often thinking about gambling – like reliving past gambling, planning future gambling or ways to get money to gamble
• often gambling when feeling distressed – like feeling helpless, guilty, worried, or depressed
• often gambling to try to win back the money that has been lost – this is called chasing losses
• lying to hide gambling
• risking or losing a close relationship, a job, or a school or work opportunity because of gambling
• relying on other people to help with money problems caused by gambling.

When someone displays one or some of these signs, they may be experiencing problems with gambling.

Why do I gamble?

Being aware of why you gamble can be very helpful if you want to change.

There are four main reasons why people gamble:

• Social – it’s what your group of friends do when they get together, or because it makes a social gathering more enjoyable.
• Financial – to win money, because someone enjoys thinking about what they would do if they won a jackpot, or because winning would solve their financial problems.
• Entertainment – because they like the feeling, to get that rush or ‘high’, or because it makes them feel good.
• Coping – for someone to forget their worries, because they feel more self-confident, or because it helps when they are feeling nervous or depressed.

Making the decision to cut back or quit

Some people who experience significant harm from gambling can return to a controlled level of gambling. Most people prefer to give up gambling for good. Giving up may be your best option if you are:

• losing more money than you can afford
• accumulating debts
• suffering mentally, physically or socially.

Gambler’s Help

With expert support, studies indicate that you're twice as likely to effectively overcome a gambling problem.

Every year Gambler’s Help assists thousands of Victorians to successfully quit or take control of their gambling. They support anyone experiencing problems with their own or someone else’s gambling. Gambler’s Help services include phone or face-to-face counselling, financial counselling, First Nations gambling support, and help in other languages.

For free, confidential, 24/7 support call 1800 858 858 or visit Gambler's Help.

Where to get help

• Gambler’s Help Youthline - free, confidential, 24/7 telephone counselling service for people under 25. Tel. 1800 262 376.
• Your GP (doctor) or other health professional.
• Gambling Help Online – online counselling and information services including a peer support program.
• Lifeline Tel. 13 11 14.
• SuicideLine Victoria Tel. 1300 651 251.