What is gambling harm?

15 Aug 2024

Gambling harm is another term for “problem gambling” or “gambling addiction.”

Gambling harm occurs when someone’s gambling negatively impacts their life, including their finances, mental health, physical health, relationships, family, job, or studies.

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s gambling, you’re not alone – support is available. We’ll talk through some signs, risk factors, and support options relating to gambling harm.

Signs of gambling harm

Gambling harm can show up differently in everyone, and not all of these signs necessarily indicate that it’s happening. But generally, you can break the signs of gambling harm into three areas - financial, behavioural, or relationships.

Financial signs

Decreased savings
Selling assets to gamble
Frequently short on money
Avoiding talking about money
Chasing losses by gambling more
Gambling more than they can afford
Spending less on important expenses
Borrowing or taking money to gamble
Viewing gambling as a way to earn money
Struggling to buy basic items like food, housing or clothing
Money missing from bank accounts, wallet/purse, or money jar
Attempting to gamble with a credit card (this is banned in Australia).

Behavioural signs

Talking a lot about gambling
Avoiding the topic of gambling
Less involved in other regular hobbies
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Researching odds and betting strategies
Constantly visiting betting apps or gambling websites
Gambling under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
Spending excessive time in locations with gaming rooms or pokies
Strong emotions while or after gambling, like frustration, anxiety, distress, or shame.

Relationship signs

Dishonest communication
Perpetrating financial abuse
Increased tension or conflict
Neglecting responsibilities at home
Neglecting their partner and/or children
Arguing about gambling with family or friends
Missing, being late to, or leaving early from family events
Seeming uninterested or withdrawn from family or friends

Changes to how you manage money as a couple or as a family.

How we speak about gambling can have big impacts. Words like “problem gambler” or “gambling addict” are common phrases used to describe someone who gambles or their behaviour. But these kinds of words can put blame and shame on the individual and are not helpful to the conversation. This can stop people getting the help they need. Instead, try using words like “gambling harm” to describe the many ways gambling might be impacting someone’s life.

Who is at risk of gambling harm?

Risk factors include:

A history of trauma
Using alcohol or drugs
Having no support system
Lack of healthy coping mechanisms
Having friends and family who gamble
Mental health challenges like depression or anxiety
Big changes in life, like separation or divorce, job loss, or the death of a loved one
Being male – Males face a significantly higher risk of experiencing gambling harm than females
Being of First Nations background – First Nations Peoples are
Being of young age, including preteens and teenagers – Young people are at risk of experiencing gambling harm because of the normalisation of gambling in Australian society, particularly in gambling advertising.

Sometimes, people gamble because there are other factors in their life that are causing them stress or difficulty. This can include mental health concerns, domestic and family violence, alcohol and drug use, or financial stress. Gambling Help aims to treat the cause of the gambling harm, not just the symptoms. We can get someone in touch with other support services in their area, including financial counselling and legal aid, to help an individual overcome harmful gambling.

What to do if you’re experiencing gambling harm

Some people may feel embarrassed about the extent of their gambling.

If you’re not ready to speak to someone about your gambling, that’s okay.

Gambling self-help tactics can include building healthier habits, setting time and money limits on your gambling, and learning about triggers and urges. You can learn more self-help tactics here.

If you’re ready to speak to a Gambling Help counsellor, it’s free and confidential. You can reach Gambling Help at 1800 858 858 to speak to a counsellor 24/7 or to make an appointment. Gambling Help can refer you to other helpful resources such as legal aid or financial counselling.

You can also chat to a counsellor anonymously any time at Gambling Help Online.

What to do if a loved one’s gambling is impacting you

When a family member, partner, or friend is gambling, it’s natural that you want to be there for them. However, sometimes their gambling can impact you, too.

Maybe their gambling is only just becoming harmful, or perhaps they’re already exploring how to stop gambling. Wherever they are in their gambling journey, it’s important to look after yourself. Your safety and wellbeing are critical.

If you’re in immediate danger, please call 000.

Lifeline provides crisis support at or on their website.

You can also seek free and confidential professional support from Gambling Help. A gambling counsellor can assist you with individual counselling, rebuilding your relationship, legal aid, overcoming financial problems, and most importantly, staying safe.