Understanding Gambling Addiction

What is gambling addiction?

Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling, is a disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite negative consequences.

The National Health Service provides guidance on gambling addictions and offers a list of simple questions to ask individuals or yourself to help determine if you have an issue or not, including;

• Do you bet more than you can afford to lose?
• Do you need to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling?
• Have you tried to win back money you have lost (chasing losses)?
• Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
• Have you wondered whether you have a problem with gambling?
• Has your gambling caused you any health problems, including feelings of stress or anxiety?
• Have other people criticised your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem (regardless of whether or not you thought it was true)?
• Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?
• Have you ever felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?

What are the signs of gambling addiction?

Common signs include:

1. Feeling the need to keep going back to win back losses.
2. Feeling the need to gamble when feeling low or depressed to escape negative mood states.
3. Feeling the need to gamble with more and more money to get the same feeling.
4. Inability to stop gambling even when wanting to.