How Do I Know If I Have A Gambling Problem?

If you’re asking yourself whether you might have a gambling problem, chances are you’re already seeing warning signs. 

While a formal diagnosis of gambling disorder requires evaluation by a mental health professional, there are many ways to recognize the symptoms on your own.

Recognizing problem gambling involves paying attention to your behaviors, emotions, and the negative impact gambling may be having on your daily life, relationships, and finances.

Quick Signs You May Have a Gambling Problem

• Constant thoughts about gambling, including reliving past bets or planning the next one
• Betting increasingly larger amounts to feel the same level of excitement
• Repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop or cut back
• Feeling anxious, agitated, or irritable when trying to stop
• Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, or depression
• Lying to hide gambling activity from family, friends, or coworkers
• Jeopardizing relationships, jobs, or school opportunities due to gambling
• Experiencing financial strain like borrowing money or using rent/bill funds to gamble

Common Behaviors and Warning Signs

Preoccupation with Gambling

Spending a lot of time thinking about gambling—whether it’s reliving previous bets (especially losses), planning your next trip, or figuring out how to get more money to gamble—is a major red flag.

In the age of online sports betting, an example would be compulsively checking the scores of sports games because you bet.

Escalating Bets and Chasing Losses

If you’re betting more often or with larger amounts just to feel excitement or trying to win back money you’ve lost, you’re likely stuck in a dangerous cycle.

Chasing losses is one of the most common signs of a problem.

Trouble Stopping or Cutting Back

Many people with a gambling problem try to stop several times without success. Failed attempts to quit often signal a deeper issue.

Don’t be discouraged because quitting and getting into recovery is possible.

Emotional Withdrawal

Feeling irritable, moody, or restless when you’re not gambling can indicate psychological dependency. This can be similar to substance abuse disorders.

Gambling as an Escape

Using gambling to numb difficult emotions—like guilt, helplessness, anxiety, or depression—is a common sign of compulsive behavior.

In reality, gambling will exacerbate these problems for you.

Hiding the Truth

Lying about gambling to loved ones, friends, or coworkers to cover up how much you gamble is a serious warning sign. If you’re hiding it, you likely know it’s a problem.

At some point, you may even begin to feel like you’re lying to yourself about your betting.

Damaged Relationships and Career

When gambling starts to interfere with relationships, marriages, job performance, or education, it’s time to take a hard look at the consequences.

Some of this damage is irreversible.

Financial Trouble

Using money meant for essentials (like rent or bills) to gamble, or racking up debt and borrowing money to continue, is a hallmark of gambling addiction.

Never bet more than you can afford to lose without feeling uncomfortable with the loss.

What to Do If You Identify These Signs

You’ve taken a big step forward by thinking about how these signs relate to you.

If some (or many) of these warning signs apply to you or someone you care about, it’s a strong indicator that gambling has become harmful.

Take action now:

• Consider taking a break or quitting entirely.
• Talk to someone you trust.
• Explore professional help or therapy.
• Explore online articles and communities to find more info

Where to Get Help If You Have a Gambling Problem

Support is available and recovery is possible. Here are some useful resources:

• Gamblers Anonymous: Free support group meetings nationwide
• SAMHSA National Helpline: Confidential help at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• Self-Exclusion Programs: Tools to block yourself from gambling websites and venues
• Therapy: Many therapists specialize in gambling-related issues

Admitting you have a problem, quitting gambling, and seeking help are difficult steps, but they’re also the most important ones. There’s no shame in reaching out. 

You’re not alone, and recovery is possible.

Recap: How Do You Know If You Have a Gambling Problem?

Here are some signs that may indicate a gambling problem:

• Preoccupation with Gambling: Spending a lot of time thinking about gambling, such as reliving past gambling experiences (especially losses), planning the next gambling trip or venture, or thinking of ways to get money to gamble again.
• Increasing Amounts: Feeling the need to bet more money more frequently to experience the same thrill or trying to chase losses by gambling more.
• Unsuccessful Attempts to Quit: Repeatedly trying to control, cut back, or stop gambling without success.
• Restlessness or Irritability When Trying to Stop: Feeling restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
• Gambling to Escape Problems: Using gambling as a way to escape from problems or to relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression.
• Lying to Conceal Gambling: Being dishonest to family members, friends, coworkers, therapists, or others to hide the extent of your gambling.
• Jeopardizing Significant Relationships or Opportunities: Gambling despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or career or educational opportunity.
• Increased Financial Strain: Experiencing financial problems as a direct result of gambling, such as debts, borrowing money, or using funds meant for other obligations (rent, bills) to gamble.

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay.