1. Warning Signs Of Problem Gambling Behavior
2. Warning Signs Of Problem Gambling Disorders
3. Warning Signs Of Problem Gambling Addiction
4. Warning Signs Of Problem Gambling

If you answer yes to ONE of these statements, you may have a gambling problem. → I have lost control over gambling → I am playing for longer periods than I had planned on. → I am often gambling when I should be doing other things. → I am not able to stop thinking about gambling. → I am lying about may gambling to family and friends. Gambling is recognised as a serious addiction. For the 2018 World Cup, the amount of money spent on gambling is expected to hit £2.5 billion in the UK, and over 400,000 of us are identified as problem gamblers. People are also concerned with the rise of problematic use of social media and video games.

You think there might be signs of problem gambling brewing in your home. You’ve noticed one whose activity occurs behind closed doors or in secrecy. One whose consequences are starting to show up when money goes missing and bills aren’t being paid by your partner.

But you aren’t quite sure.

Or, maybe you’re worried about your child and where their lunch money is going every day. Influenced by television, movies and online, your child is bragging about new possessions and has a constant focus on “winning.”

Or, maybe you’re worried about excessive gambling of your own. How much is too much?

Problem gambling is a widespread issue faced by hundreds of thousands of New York residents every year. Nationwide, millions of people battle the addiction of gambling through common methods such as online gaming, lottery tickets and casino spending.

Like many addictions, gambling is not always recognized immediately, and the consequences often reach a staggering level before any attempts to control it are made.

Signs of Problem Gambling

We understand not everyone wants to ask for support, and diagnosing a gambling problem of your own or of someone else is stressful and can cause fear of embarrassment or shaming and labeling. While we strongly encourage you to seek help as soon as gambling activity seems questionable, understanding recognized warning signs of problem gambling may help you identify whether there is a problem and reinforce your decision to seek assistance.
Concerned about yourself?
When seeking to understand your own potential gambling problem, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you gamble to escape worry, boredom or trouble?
• Do thoughts of gambling disrupt your sleep?
• Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations cause you to gamble?
• Have you ever had self-destructive thoughts because of problems resulting from gambling?
• Have you noticed a personality change since you began gambling?

Answering questions like these is a good first step in identifying your own gambling problem.

Concerned about others?

While you may not be the one gambling, you can observe changes in the personality and behavior of someone with a gambling addiction. Asking your child, loved one or coworkers questions such as the ones provided below:

• Does your loved one ever gamble longer than originally planned?
• Do you hide the rent/mortgage or food money because your loved one gambles it away?
• Is your child borrowing or stealing money?
• Does your child have an unusual interest in newspapers, magazines, periodicals and other outlets containing odds and scores?
• Does your employee or coworker spend an excessive time away from his or her job using the telephone to place bets or spending time reviewing formsheets, racing, sports or stock pages?

Ask the Right Questions – and Get Help

Provided above were just a few examples of the warning signs that may present themselves when a gambling problem exists. For a complete list of problem gambling warning signs, read Know The Odds’ Understanding Problem Gambling e-book. Section 04 provides an extensive list of questions to ask when identifying whether you, your loved one, your child or your coworker have a gambling problem.

If answering these questions leads you to believe a gambling addiction is present, seek immediate help. Visit the Gambling Support Directory to find counseling and support in a New York county near you, or reach out for help through the HOPEline today: 1-877-8-HOPENY.

Addiction can take many different forms.

While drugs and alcohol are the most common causes of addiction, there are many other vices that can be just as damaging to a person’s physical and mental health. Gambling addiction, for instance, is a compulsive behavior in which a person has the uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the negative repercussions it may have. Those with gambling addiction are willing to risk something of value in the hope that it will allow them to obtain something of greater value.

Gambling stimulates the brain’s reward system, much like drugs and alcohol. The desire to feel the rush and win big can overpower more rational thoughts, leading to the development of compulsive, addictive behaviors. This may display itself through behaviors such as continuously chasing bets, depleted savings, growing debt, fraud, and theft. What makes gambling addiction more problematic is its growing accessibility to the public. Through the use of smart phones, tablets, and other devices, placing a bet is as easy as pressing a button. It is easier to hide problematic gambling behavior through these devices, making it harder for loved ones to recognize there is a problem before it is too late. Gambling addiction can destroy lives, but there are risk factors and symptoms that can help identify the problem, while proper treatment can effectively help addicts regain control of their lives.

Symptoms of Gambling Addiction

The causes of gambling addiction are relatively unknown, but like many problems, it appears to originate as a result of a combination of biological, genetic, and environmental factors. Compulsive gambling can impact both men and women equally, and knows no bounds as far as social, cultural, and socioeconomic factors are concerned. Although many people will gamble at least once in their lives, many will not develop an addiction to the behavior. There are several risk factors that may put an individual at a higher risk for addiction. These include:

Behavior and mood disorders: People who compulsively gamble often also struggle with another behavior or mood disorder. This may be substance addiction, mood, or personality disorders. The existence of at least one preexisting disorder can put people at greater risk for developing co-occurring disorders. Many gamblers also struggle with alcoholism and depression as a result of their habits.

Warning Signs Of Problem Gambling Behavior

Sex: Although both men and women can develop gambling addiction, men are more prone to develop problems with gambling than women. Patterns of gambling addiction development have become more similar between men and women in recent years; however, women are more likely to begin gambling later in life, and are more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.

Personality characteristics: Certain traits can make a person more likely to develop a problem with gambling. Individuals who are highly competitive, easily bored, restless, or workaholics are more likely to take up the habit.

Age: Gambling addiction can develop at any stage in life, but generally younger adults and middle-aged people are more likely to struggle with compulsive behaviors.

Many people develop a problem with gambling over years of social gambling. On rare occasions, a person may develop compulsive behaviors after their first gambling experience; however, many will partake in the activity without any issues for long periods of time before it develops into something problematic. More frequent gambling and stressful life experiences can make a person more likely to develop an addiction. This is especially true for individuals who are depressed, as gambling may offer an escape. Unlike casual gamblers who know when to stop and cut their losses, those with gambling addiction often chase the thrill rather than the money. They may begin betting increasingly larger sums of money that they cannot afford to lose. They are often compelled to keep gambling in order to win back their money, leading to a bigger loss and greater destruction in their lives.

Warning Signs Of Problem Gambling Disorders

Signs of gambling addiction include:

• Preoccupation with gambling
• Taking time away from work or family to gamble
• Lying about gambling
• Being thrilled by taking big gambling risks
• Partaking in increasingly larger gambling risks
• Using gambling as a way to escape problems or stress
• Borrowing or stealing in order to keep gambling
• Feeling guilt about gambling
• Inability to cut back on gambling behaviors

Treatment for Gambling Addiction

Warning Signs Of Problem Gambling Addiction

In treating gambling addiction, a person must first acknowledge and accept that they have a problem. Treatment for gambling addiction largely focuses on changing behaviors and environments that enable compulsive behaviors.

• Psychotherapy: Psychological and behavioral therapies are critical in addressing gambling addiction. A person suffering from gambling addiction must unlearn behaviors that enable abuse and develop skills that help them reduce the urge to gamble. Therapy is designed to identify and address the negative thoughts, beliefs, and actions that enable destructive behaviors, and replace them with healthy, positive ones.
• Self-help groups: Many individuals may benefit by becoming a member of a self-help group. Groups like Gamblers Anonymous are incredibly beneficial during and after treatment. Being surrounded by others who share similar experiences allows individuals to develop meaningful relationships with others to whom they can easily relate, and allows them to learn from others who have been down the same road.
• Medications: Since co-occurring disorders often play a role in the development of addiction, treating mood and behavioral disorders can help an individual recover from gambling addiction. While this will not necessarily treat compulsive gambling itself, it can help address underlying issues that may fuel negative behaviors.

Warning Signs Of Problem Gambling

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