Understanding gambling harm is crucial. Gambling starts as fun but may impact health, relationships, and finances. Recognize the signs, seek help, and know you’re not alone.
You might have experienced the thrill of placing a bet and then felt the rush of hope as you anticipate your big payout. You daydream of spending the money you haven’t yet won, planning for the “burden” of such luck. But… you don’t win, you lose it all. And yet, you still think, “One more time.”
Is this gambling or is this cause for concern?
Anyone can experience harms from gambling, and these harms can look different for each person. For some people experiencing problems, it isn’t just about losing, or losing all of your money — it’s when you have trouble stopping and spend more than you can afford. It can be when it begins to negatively impact other areas of your life, like your physical or mental health, school or work performance, finances, or relationships. For others, it might mean you gamble in many forms, max out your credit cards, borrow money, or neglect family, work, or school obligations. These are all problems that can lead to feelings of regret, depression, or even isolation. It can be very lonely, and hard to reach out to others about it or even recognize the problem within yourself or someone you know.
How do you know if you’ve crossed a line?
The truth is that shifting from gambling for fun to experiencing gambling harms is different for everyone. If you or someone you know is starting to make poor choices, or is feeling unhappy because of their gambling, it’s helpful to get familiar with the signs. People experiencing a problem may be anxious when they’re not gambling, could think about it often, and may feel the need to bet more, more often. They may be doing things they feel bad about to keep up, like spending more than they’ve allotted, and could be disconnecting from their family and friends. Like with any addiction, stigma and a lack of education about the problem can prevent people from seeking help. But anyone can experience harm and need support.
What’s the best way to get help?
It’s important for people experiencing harms from gambling to know that they’re not alone and that help is available. But changing any behaviour, like changing how you gamble, is never easy. There are steps you can take to support change and increase your chances of success. One way to start is to understand safer play by taking the Gambling Self-Assessment Quiz. The Responsible Gambling Council website is a comprehensive resource to find free, confidential support either in person or online. It includes information to help you find counselling, connect with people going through the same thing, or navigate speaking with someone in your life who may be experiencing issues with their gambling.
We know the first step in any change is the hardest, but if you’re questioning your own or a loved one’s gambling, know that there’s help available. You’re not alone.
Click here to take the quiz.
