Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
Most people who participate in gambling do so responsibly and for entertainment. There is, however, a small percentage of the population (between 1% and 5%) whose gambling behaviours become damaging to themselves, their family or their workplace.
Gambling requires three resources: time, money and energy. It becomes a problem if these resources are spent at the expense of other areas, such as personal relationships, family, employment, academics or financial commitments.
Warning Signs that gambling is becoming a problem may include:
- Spending more time and money than intended
- Arguing about gambling with friends and family
- After losing, having the urge to return as soon as possible to win back losses
- Feeling guilt or remorse about gambling
- Borrowing money or selling assets to gamble
- Considering illegal means of obtaining money to gamble
- Missing work in order to gamble
- Hiding the extent of gambling activity