RECOGNISE PROBLEM GAMBLING

To evaluate your gambling patterns and see if they're spiraling out of control, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Frequency

• Have you made attempts, but failed, to cut back on the time you spend or the money you gamble?
• Have you been gambling again on subsequent days to recuperate your losses?
• Do you find yourself feeling an intense urge to gamble, even when you’ve made the decision to quit?
• Do you dedicate a lot of time to contemplating gaming or strategizing your next gambling sessions?
• Do you search for ways to acquire more time and funds to gamble, perhaps by deceiving or misleading others?

Financial

• Do you feel the need to continuously increase your bets to achieve the same level of excitement?
• Have you borrowed money that you can't repay due to gambling, or accumulated debt in other ways?
• Have you ever sold personal items to fund your gambling or to cover debts?
• Have you ever been tempted to engage in dishonest methods to secure funds for gambling?
• Are you spending money on gambling that should be reserved for essential expenses like rent, bills, or food?

Mental

• Do you use gambling as a means to escape from real-life problems or challenges?
• Are mood swings, irritability, or anxiety common experiences for you due to gambling?
• Do you often feel guilt or shame regarding your gambling activities?
• Do you experience withdrawal symptoms, such as nervousness or irritability, when you try to stop gambling?
• Have you made multiple attempts to quit or manage your gambling but have been unsuccessful each time?
• Do you continue to gamble even when you recognize the harmful effects it has on your life and finances?
• Are you frequently distracted or less attentive at your job or studies because your mind is focused on gambling?
• Do you experience exhilaration when gambling, or feel a surge of excitement that compels you to continue?
• Do you believe that gambling is the sole source of happiness or fulfillment in your life?

Social

• Do you often gamble by yourself, disregarding work or other obligations?
• Do you break commitments with family and friends in favor of gambling?
• Do you feel a sense of isolation as a result of your gambling habits?
• Do you conceal your gambling activities from significant people in your life?
• Do you hide your losses from others?
• Have your relationships deteriorated, or have you lost touch with friends and family due to excessive gambling?

There are numerous avenues for finding assistance with gambling problems. Here, we provide a list of organizations and services that fit this description. The availability and nature of services can vary based on your country of residence. However, many of these resources can be accessed globally without the need for registration.

Take the Gambleaware.org Problem Gambling Quiz (Gambleaware is a registered charity based in England)

GamblersAnonymous (A UK Charity)

Complete the Responsible Gambling Self-Assessment Quiz (Canada)

Gamecare Self Assement Tool 

Gordon Moody Self Assesment

If you're seeking local organizations in your country, we suggest you search for terms like 'Problem Gambling,' 'Problem Gambling Help,' or 'Problem Gambling Quiz' in your preferred search engine. Typically, local government or charitable organizations focused on gambling counseling will appear to guide you.