• Help With Gambling Problem
• I Have A Gambling Problem

If gambling has become a problem for you, or someone you care about, get some help. It’s free and confidential. Call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Similarly, a person who withdraws from socializing with friends and family to spend all his time online may have a gambling problem. Becoming overly invested in a game. Gambling addicts may pay excessive attention to the details of a game - such as who won the coin toss - or have an out-of-proportion response to what’s happening.

A gambling addiction or problem is often associated with other behavior or mood disorders. Many problem gamblers also suffer with substance abuse issues, unmanaged ADHD, stress, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. To overcome your gambling problems, you’ll also need to address these and any other underlying causes as well. The signs of a gambling problem are often the same as the signs of other addictions. Common signs of addiction include, but are not limited to, the following: Feeling the need to be secretive about gambling Having trouble controlling gambling habits. If you feel you have a problem with gambling, or know someone who does, call (888) 696-2440 for free, confidential gambling addiction help. Signs and Symptoms of Compulsive Gambling. Compulsive gambling is a term that indicates that the person’s gambling is compromising or damaging their personal, family, or vocational pursuits.

For the most part, gambling is a social and recreational activity enjoyed by the majority of gamblers without any problems. However, there are a number of people who have significant gambling problems, causing harm to both themselves and important people in their lives. For yourself and those around you, it’s important to understand how to spot the signs that someone has a gambling problem.

As an employee in the gaming industry, it is your responsibility to provide an environment that is safe and supportive for everyone who takes part. That means offering assistance where needed and information about how problem gamblers can receive the kind of support services that may require.

By undertaking a RCG (Responsible Conduct of Gambling) course, you will be armed with the skills and knowledge to detect problem gamblers in the premises where you’re employed. You will be taught how to offer advice for those individuals to get the help they need if they so choose. Most venues will have their own code of conduct that must be approved by their state’s gambling regulation body, and will provide guidance for interacting with those who are showing signs of problem gambling.

Signs of a problem gambler

Amongst the thousands of patrons participating gambling, there are a number of tell tale signs that can ihelp to detect a problem gambler.

1. Playing regularly

Anyone who plays regularly, such as more than once a week on gaming machines, or spends long periods of time in the one spot (i.e. gaming machine) or venue is an indication of a gambling problem. Skipping meals or taking time off work to continue gambling are further key signs.

2. Changes in behaviour

There are several ways in which problem gamblers can exhibit behavioural cues that indicate problem gambling, such as:

• • Sudden changes in behaviour, with patrons moving from pleasant to offensive in an instant.

• • Poor anger management and abusive language.

• Violent outbursts against others, either in person at the venue, or on the phone to a betting outlet.

3. The blame game

Blaming others for their losses, or claiming the games are rigged to lose. Problem gamblers often declare that a specific object (i.e. gaming machine, horse, football team) owes them a win.

4. Outward signs of stress

Physical cues include perfuse sweating, crying, frustration and shaking. This could culminate in a verbal and/or physical outburst of a violent nature, or feelings of guilt and remorse.

5. Gambler’s fallacy

Often known as chasing the win, gamblers believe a win is just around the corner after a string of losses. Problem gamblers will continually gamble to try and recover their losses, which could culminate in betting larger amounts of money andtaking more risks.

6. Borrowing money

This could include asking other patrons in the venue to borrow money, asking the venue to provide credit, or trying to sell personal belongings to patrons to raise additional gambling funds.

7. Sharing personal problems

Problem gamblers are four times more likely to have a drinking problem [Link to the article – ‘What are some of the key facts about gambling in Australia?’] . Alcohol lowers inhibitions and people are more likely to share personal information with you, such as an inability to pay bills, relationship problems, or stories about past gambling wins.

8. Lying and seclusion

Help With Gambling Problem

Problem gamblers will lie to everyone about their whereabouts, take phone calls outside so as not to giveaway their location, and withdraw from socialising with others. They may even ask employees to lie on their behalf should they receive phone calls from people asking if they’re at the venue.

9. Concentration

Becoming so engaged in the betting activity, such as gaming machines, that they have no awareness or understanding about what is going on around them. At times this can result in problem gamblers falling asleep.

10. Trouble leaving

Problem gamblers may not want to leave the venue at closing time for a number of reasons:

• • On a winning streak

• • Chasing a win following a string of losses

• • Don’t want to go home and face their family

• Don’t want to be alone

Helping someone with a gambling problem

Most people want to help those in need, regardless of what the problem might be. Compassion is a natural human reaction to seeing someone in trouble, but it can be difficult to take action for a number of reasons. However, despite any reluctance you may have, RSG legislation and the venue’s own code of conduct will require you to provide the problem gambler with a duty of care. While it can be a difficult step to take, it has been shown that staff who approach gamblers with gaming machine problems can have a positive impact in reducing their addictive behaviour1.

By enrolling and completing a RGG online course, you will learn how to identify a problem gambler, and the steps required to approach them and provide the assistance they potentially need. You have a legal and moral obligation to provide assistance, so make sure you’re well trained so problem gamblers can receive the best support possible.

1 Caraniche Pty Ltd. 2005. Evaluation of Electronic Gaming Machine Harm Minimisation Measures in Victoria. Final Report. Melbourne: Victorian Government Department of Justice

Signs someone you love has a gambling problem

Unlike alcohol or other drug abuse where those under the influence may appear intoxicated or “high”, problem gamblers usually do not exhibit easily recognizable signs. However, there are signs that may indicate someone is experiencing a gambling problem.

According to Gam-Anon, if you answer “YES” to at least six of the following questions, you may be living with a person who has a problem with compulsive gambling:

• Do you find yourself constantly bothered by bill collectors?

• Is the person in question often away from home for long, unexplained periods of time?

• Does this person ever lose time from work due to gambling?

• Do you feel that this person cannot be trusted with money?

• Does the person in question faithfully promise that he or she will stop gambling; beg, plead for another chance, yet gamble again and again?

• Does this person ever gamble longer than he or she intended to, until the last dollar is gone?

• Does this person immediately return to gambling to try to recover losses, or to win more?

• Does this person ever gamble to get money to solve financial difficulties or have unrealistic expectations that gambling will bring the family material comfort and wealth?

• Does this person borrow money to gamble with or to pay gambling debts?

• Has this person’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 search this person’s clothing or go through his or her wallet when the opportunity presents itself, or otherwise check on his/her activities?

• Does the person in question hide his or her money?

• Have you noticed a personality change in the gambler as his or her gambling progresses?

• Does the person in question consistently lie to cover up or deny his or her gambling activities?

• Does this person use guilt induction as a method of shifting responsibilities for his or her gambling upon you?

• Do you attempt to anticipate this person’s moods, or try to control his or her life?

• Does this person 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?

I Have A Gambling Problem

To learn more about our treatment options or begin your recovery from problem gambling, please reach out to us at 405.840.9000 or contact us here.