Signs of gambling-related harm

Behavioural signs 

• Spending a lot of time in gambling venues or betting online 

• No longer enjoying activities you/they used to 

• Complaining about changes in their patterns of sleep or eating 

• Ignoring self-care, work, school or family tasks  

• Using alcohol or drugs more often  

• Neglecting personal or parental responsibilities.  

Emotional signs  

• Feeling regret about gambling 

• Feeling guilty about mood swings, anger or frustration taken out on family or friends  

• Complaining about stress, anxiety or trouble sleeping 

• Complains of boredom and restlessness seems depressed or suicidal.  

Financial/legal signs  

• Frequently asking for emergency money without explaining why 

• Having ongoing money problems that don’t make sense

• Living in a nearly empty house (very little food, no utilities, little furniture)  

• Having legal issues related to gambling.  

Health signs 

• Headaches  

• Digestive problems  

• Trouble sleeping  

• Overeating, or loss of appetite.  

Worried you might be gambling too much? It can be easy to gamble and spend more without noticing. If gambling is on your mind more and more these days, check your gambling habits here.

Find out more on the Gambler's Help website  

• How to talk to someone about their gambling  

• Practical ways to help  

• How to help someone with a gambling issue  

• Find out the odds  

• Let's talk gambling blog  

• Help in languages other than English