What is gambling harm?
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- Seeming uninterested or withdrawn from family or friends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.
Support for gambling harm is available
Speaking to someone about gambling harm is a brave step forward. Our counsellors are ready to help.
Gambling Help is available 24/7 at 1800 858 858. We can also book you in for face-to-face gambling counselling. It’s confidential and it’s free.