Gambling Fact Sheet 

Gambling is the act of risking money, property, or something of value on an activity with an uncertain outcome. Problem gambling is defined as any gambling behaviour that negatively affects family, personal or vocational pursuits.

People gamble at various levels of involvement. Casual social gamblers, for example, gamble occasionally and experience no negative effects. Serious social gamblers may not experience any negative effects either; but for them, gambling is their major form of recreation. Harmfully involved gamblers gamble to such an extent that the gambling has a harmful effect on some area of their lives. The effect can be occasional or ongoing.

Today's problem gambler may be a teen, a senior, male or female, of any socioeconomic status or any racial/ethnic/religious group.

• spending more and more time on gambling - preoccupation*

• promises to cut back or stop without outside help

• growing debt (bill collectors making contact; gambler may make extra efforts to always pick up the mail)

• lies (about finances and whereabouts)

• frequent mood swings

• boasting about wins, minimizing losses

• chasing - attempts to win back money lost by betting more money

• increase in amount of money gambled - tolerance*

• physical deterioration and self-neglect (hygiene, appearance)

• loss of enjoyment of leisure activities

• loss of efficiency and productivity

• isolation and anti-social behaviour

• confused or distorted thinking*

* These signs, along with an aroused euphoric state (high or rush) are similar to alcohol/other drug addiction.

The most common symptoms are:

• cravings - urge to gamble

• restlessness and irritability

• insomnia

• headaches

• upset stomach, diarrhea

• loss of appetite

• physical weakness

• heart racing, palpitations

May include:

• counselling - individual and family

• group sessions/ programs

• self-help (Gamblers Anonymous, GA and GamAnon for family & friends)

If you answer "yes" to several of the following questions, you may want to consult someone about a gambling problem.

• Do you ever feel remorse after gambling?
• Have you noticed a decrease in your grades at school or in your efficiency at work?
• Do you have a fantasy that you are going to be rich one day from gambling?
• Has your attitude toward your family changed?
• Does gambling cause you to lose time from school and/or work?
• Do you often gamble until you last dollar is gone?
• Have you withdrawn from friends and outside activities?
• Have you ever borrowed so that you can continue gambling?
• After losing, do you feel you must return as soon as possible to win back you losses?
• After a win do you have a strong urge to return to win more?
• Are you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?
• Do you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
• Have you ever sold anything to finance your gambling?
• Do you ever gamble to escape worry or trouble?
• Does gambling cause you to have trouble sleeping?
• Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you the urge to gamble?
• Does anyone in your family have a substance abuse problem?
• Do you have an urge to celebrate good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
• Do you believe that you have superior knowledge when making choices for gambling?
• Have you ever considered self-destruction as a result of gambling?

Adapted from Twenty Questions - Gamblers Anonymous

Are you living with a Problem Gambler?

If you answer "yes " to several of these questions, there is possibly a gambling problem in your home and you may want to consult someone about help for yourself.

• Do you find yourself constantly bothered by bill collectors?
• Is the family member often away from work and family activities because of gambling?
• Do you feel that this family member cannot be trusted with money?
• Does the family member faithfully promise that s/he will stop gambling: beg, plead for another chance yet gamble again and again?
• Does this family member ever gamble longer than s/he intended to, until the last dollar is gone?
• Does this family member immediately return to gambling to try to recover losses or to win more?
• Does this family member gamble to get money to solve financial difficulties or have unrealistic expectations that gambling will bring the family material comfort and wealth?
• Does this family member borrow money to gamble with or to pay gambling debts?
• Has this family member's reputation ever suffered due to gambling, even to the extent of committing illegal acts to finance gambling?
• Have you come to the point of hiding money needed for living expenses, knowing that you and the rest of the family may go without food and clothing if you do not?
• Do you go through/search this family member's belongings when the opportunity presents itself, or otherwise check his/her activities?
• Does the family member hide his/her money?
• Have you noticed a personality change in the family member as his or her gambling progresses?
• Does the family member consistently lie to cover up or deny his or her gambling activities?
• Does this family member use your guilt as a method of shifting responsibilities for his or her gambling onto you?
• Do you attempt to anticipate this family member's moods or try to conceal his/her life?
• Does this family member ever suffer from remorse or depression due to gambling sometimes to the point of self-destruction?
• Has the gambling ever brought you to the point of threatening to break up the family unit?
• Do you feel that your life together is a nightmare?

Adapted from GamAnon Questions
Drug Dependency Services, Central Region, 1999