Gambling-related harms
What is gambling and what are the symptoms of someone experiencing gambling addiction?
Gambling is risking money or a valuable object in a game, contest or activity where the end result depends on chance.
It can include the following:
- Arcades
- Betting (online, at an event or in a high street bookmakers)
- Bingo (online, or in a bingo hall)
- Casino (online or in a casino)
- Lotteries (raffles, tombolas, sweepstakes, etc)
- Gambling machines (fruit machines, fixed-odds betting terminals)
Symptoms of someone experiencing a gambling addiction
- Gambling on another day to try to win back the money lost (chasing losses)
- Lying to conceal the extend and amount gambled
- Feelings of guilt and gambling when feeling distressed
- Gambling more than one can afford to lose
- Gambling with large amounts of money to get the same feeling of excitement
- Borrowing money to gamble
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop gambling
- Feelings of anger when losing money through gambling
Gambling-related harms
- Gambling harms are any negative consequence or side effect experienced as a result of gambling
- Gambling related harms are not only felt by the person who gambles but also affected others such as family members and friends
- Gambling harms can impact:
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Finances
- Relationships
- Education and employment
- Cultures
- Crime and antisocial behaviours
- For many, gambling harms leave a legacy and may be experienced for many years after the event
