Gambling addiction: signs and where to get help

What gambling disorder is

Gambling disorder is gambling that continues despite the damage it does to money, work, health or relationships. It is listed in the DSM-5, the manual doctors use to diagnose mental health conditions, alongside other addictive disorders. The World Health Organization estimates that 1.2% of adults worldwide have a gambling disorder.

Fast games make it worse. Online slots and crash games settle a bet every few seconds, so losses build quickly and the urge to win them back comes just as fast.

The nine signs doctors look for

A doctor diagnoses gambling disorder when at least four of these signs appear within a 12-month period. You can use the list as a self-check; it does not replace a conversation with a professional.

1. You need to bet more money to feel the same excitement.
2. You feel restless or irritable when you try to cut down or stop.
3. You have tried to control, cut down or stop gambling and failed more than once.
4. You think about gambling most of the time: past sessions, the next one, how to find money to play.
5. You gamble when you feel stressed, guilty, anxious or low.
6. After losing money, you come back to win it back.
7. You lie to people close to you about how much you gamble.
8. Gambling has put a relationship, a job or your studies at risk, or cost you one.
9. You rely on others to give you money to cover gambling debts.

Other people may notice money problems, mood swings, missed work or a friend pulling away from family and social events.

What to do first

1. Stop depositing. Remove saved cards and e-wallets from casino accounts.
2. Register with GAMSTOP, which blocks every gambling site licensed in Great Britain, and add a device blocker such as Gamban or the free BetBlocker.
3. Ask your bank to block gambling payments on your cards; most UK banks offer this in their app.
4. Tell one person you trust what is happening.
5. Call the National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, on 0808 8020 133, or use GamCare's live chat. You do not have to stop gambling before you get in touch.

If someone close to you gambles

Pick a calm moment and talk about what you have noticed, such as missed bills, borrowing or secrecy, rather than gambling in general. Do not lend money to cover losses. The National Gambling Helpline and GamAnon support family and friends as well as the person who gambles.

Recovery

People do recover from gambling disorder. Counselling, support groups and treatment through the NHS all help, and many people use more than one. Slips are common and are not a reason to give up. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call 999 now, or call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time.

For limits and tools to keep gambling under control before it becomes a problem, see our responsible gaming page.