Get help with gambling problems – Citizens Advice

What are the red flag behaviours of gambling?

Act restless and irritable when not gambling 

• Have an attitude that no win is ever big enough
• Lie about losses and exaggerate wins
• “Chase” their losses.
• Bet until their last Pound is gone.
• Get in worse and worse financial and emotional trouble over time.

If you’re worried about your gambling, there are things you can do to get support. You might want to:

• limit how much you gamble
• talk to someone about your gambling problem
• get help to deal with debt
• Check if you can get a refund if you’ve borrowed money
• complain if you were allowed to gamble after you self-excluded
• get support if you’re finding things difficult
• Try GAMSTOP

What are the phases of gambling addiction?

• Winning phase. The winning phase often starts with a big win, leading to excitement and a positive view of gambling. …
• Losing phase. Problem gamblers become more and more preoccupied with gambling. …
• Desperation phase. …
• Hopeless phase.

Help for problems with gambling – NHS

Are you having problems with gambling?

Try this questionnaire:

• Do you bet more than you can afford to lose?
• Do you need to gamble with more significant 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 stress or anxiety?
• Have other people criticised your betting or told you that you had a problem with gambling (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 how you gamble or what happens when you gamble?

Score 0 for each time you answer “never”
Score 1 for each time you answer “sometimes”
Score 2 for each time you answer “most of the time”
Score 3 for each time you answer “almost always”

If your total score is 8 or higher, your gambling might be causing problems for you or those closest to you.

TRY GAMSTOP

You can also If you are concerned about someone else’s gambling, seek assistance.