Gambling Harms
When does gambling become harmful?
The Tipping Point
Gambling crosses the line from entertainment to harm when:
You have trouble stopping.
You spend more than you can afford.
It begins to negatively impact other areas of your life, like:
- Your physical or mental health
- Your school or work performance
- Your finances
- Your relationships
Self-Reflection
Know the warning signs of a gambling problem
Feeling guilty, anxious, frustrated or worried about your gambling
Thinking or talking about gambling more than usual
Gambling to win back money you’ve lost or thinking that a “big win” is right around the corner
Experiencing extreme highs from wins and extreme lows from losses
Finding it difficult to control or stop gambling, or feeling irritable when you try to stop
Feeling a sense of emptiness or loss when you’re not gambling
Borrowing money, selling things, committing (or considering committing) criminal acts to obtain money for gambling
Having increased debt, unpaid bills, or other financial troubles because of your gambling
Gambling to escape personal problems or to relieve feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, or loneliness
Gambling instead of attending family or other social functions or neglecting family or household responsibilities
Visible Impacts
Financial Troubles
Financial troubles are one of the potentially more visible signs of a harm caused by gambling. The financial costs of gambling harm are significant and can include financial insecurity, reduced disposable income, job loss, loss of home and/or business, increased debt and potential bankruptcy.
Need assistance?
Confidential financial help is available for those in need.
Below are a few of the financial warning signs that can be associated with problem gambling:
- Overdue and unpaid bills
- Increased spending on credit cards or significant debt increase
- Secretive about money problems and/or account balance(s)
- Frequently short or lacking money despite sufficient income
- Repeatedly borrowing money from friends and/or family
- Money disappearing from savings, home, or wallets without explanation
- Receiving calls from collection agencies
Take Action
Think you, or someone you know, may be experiencing harm from gambling?
Paying attention to how gambling makes you feel and knowing the warning signs before gambling creates harm in your life are valuable tools. If you’re still not sure, try our interactive self-assessment.