10 Signs That You Have A Gambling Addiction
Gambling Addiction – Gambling is supposed to be a fun and exciting way to spend your time. When it stops being fun, it is time to consider quitting, even if only for a little while. While it is vital that we break the stigma of gambling being a “bad thing”, it is also equally as important (if not more so) that we also take care not to overdo our gambling activities. Some classic warning signs can show that you (or somebody you know) may have a gambling addiction. Spotting the warning signs is critical. The earlier you can identify them, the less trouble either you or your friend is going to be in further down the round.
We can identify around ten classic warning signs that you or your friend may have a gambling addiction. Learn to spot them, too, and you may help yourself and others around you.
Rapidly Losing Money
Let’s deal with the most obvious, first. If you’re quickly losing money, it may be due to a gambling addiction. Of course, just because you have plenty of cash to burn, doesn’t mean that you don’t have an obsession. If you find yourself ploughing hundreds of pounds into games, no matter how much you can spare, you should take note.
Anxiety About Gambling
Again, gambling is supposed to be fun. It is supposed to be entertaining and a little adrenaline pumping at the same time. It is not supposed to cause you anxiety or stress. Any player who is stressing about what they have lost, or anxious about what they may lose should take some time away from the tables.
Chasing Your Losses
Arguably the most classic sign of a problem gambler, and rule 101 for gambling. Never chase your losses. You almost certainly won’t win lost money back by ploughing more and more into gambling. If you find yourself losing £€50 and then throwing another £€50 in a bid to win it back, you should think twice. That can lead to a slippery slope. The more you chase your losses, the more irrecoverable they will be.
Scheduled Gambling
It’s 8 pm, and that means gambling time. It’s nice to have a hobby at the same time every day, right? Not necessarily. While you may favour a particular time of the day more – it may be that this is the only time you have free – if you find yourself frustrated that your scheduled gambling activities can’t take place at a specific time, this could be an issue to look at.
Refusal to Stop
When you tell yourself that you must stop and decide to have one last roll of the dice, you could be a problem gambler. That one last roll of the dice always becomes another roll, then another, and so on. Should you decide to stop, follow it up by asking your casino to bar you, even if just for a few weeks so you can gain some perspective.
When You Need That Win
If you’ve got bills coming in, cannot afford to pay them and are thinking of playing a few spins on the slots or a few hands of blackjack so you can potentially win enough to pay the bill, there’s a problem. Gambling funds should never take priority over bills, food, and other things that you need to pay for. If you find yourself needing a big win to pay for something non-gambling related, stop.
Theft, Stealing and Fraud
Similarly, if you find yourself stealing money from a friend, you urgently need to stop playing. The most severe problem gamblers steal, and this sees you in trouble not only financially, but also legally. Posing as another is identity fraud and is a serious crime.
Hiding Your Hobby
Problem gamblers usually know that they have a problem, and they hide their gambling activities from others. Your friend may claim that “it’s only a few quid every now and again”, but if you think your friend or partner is actively hiding their gambling from you, it is time to talk to them. They may be ashamed to tell you how much they have lost.
Not Wanting to Talk About It
As mentioned, gamblers don’t like to talk about their losses, and if you push them to, they’ll most likely push you away. Part of ending the cycle of gambling addiction is to admit there is a problem. If you are a problem gambler, you should talk to your friend. If you know somebody, who is, you may need to push a little, to get them to open. Whatever you do, don’t hand them any more money, though.
Borrowing Money
You’re not allowed to borrow money from people in a casino, and you certainly shouldn’t lend a friend money if you think they’re a problem gambler. Problem gamers sometimes borrow cash, claiming it is for one thing, but use it on another.
Look out for all these warning signs, and if you think these apply to you, know that there are always people and places where you can get help, even online.
