Signs of Gambling Harm in Gaming Venue Patrons
Gaming venue staff play an important role in monitoring patrons and helping to minimise the risk of gambling harm. You know your venue, the popular machines, your “regulars”, their behaviour, and their stories.
It’s critical to know the common signs of gambling harm. Keep these signs in mind when observing customers.
You can make a difference in the lives of individuals in your community. If you notice a patron showing signs of gambling harm, you can have a chat with them and let them know about free support options.
Signs of gambling harm in venue patrons
Early gambling harm
- Rushing from one machine to another
- Significant increase in spending pattern
- Trying obsessively to win on one machine
- Rummaging around in purse or wallet for money
- Asking to change large notes at the venue before gambling
Possible gambling harm
- Playing very rapidly
- Betting $2.50 or more per spin
- Complaining to staff about losing
- Spending $300 or more in a session
- Blaming venue or machines for losing
- Bragging about winning or gambling skills
- Gambling on two or more machines at once
- Gambling frequently / most days of the week
- Starting gambling as soon as the venue opens
- Only stopping gambling when the venue is closing
Running out of money by the time they leave the venue - Staying to continue gambling when friends leave the venue
- Rituals or superstitious behaviours (such as rubbing the machine or screen, talking to the machine, spitting on the machine, using luck charms, or playing in patterns)
Probable gambling harm
- Gambling through normal mealtimes
- Avoiding contact or conversation with others
Finding it difficult to stop gambling at closing time - Avoiding the cashier and only using cash facilities
- Leaving the venue to find money to continue gambling
- Withdrawing cash from the ATM or EFTPOS multiple times
- Putting large wins back into the machine and continuing playing
- Gambling for excessive amounts of time (3+ hours) without a break
- Gambling intensely without reacting to what’s going on around them
- Showing signs of distress while gambling (such as looking sad, crying, holding their head in their hands)
- Showing signs of anxiety while gambling (such as shakes, sweats, looking nervous, being on edge, fidgeting)
- Getting angry while gambling (such as kicking or hitting the machine, swearing, yelling, grunting or groaning, playing rough or aggressively, throwing things)
- Becoming angry or hovering if someone takes their favourite machine or spot
Highly probable gambling harm
- Asking for credit from the venue
- Being rude or impolite to venue staff
- Trying to borrow money from other people at the venue
- Has friends or family members contacting or visiting the venue asking for them
- General poor hygiene or significant decline in self-care or appearance (such as body odour, dirty or unchanged clothes, or unkempt or dirty hair)
- Being secretive about their presence at the venue (such as not answering their phone, going outside to take or make calls, asking the staff not to let others know they’re there)
How to help a patron who’s showing signs of gambling harm
It’s up to all of us to reduce the impact of gambling harm in our communities.
If you notice a patron showing signs of gambling harm, as venue staff, your help plays a critical role in their life:
- Gently let them know about support options – this might be as simple as handing them a brochure
- Ask if there’s anything going on in their life they’d like to chat about
How we can help
Gambling Help can:
Provide safer gambling training to your staff
Assist you in supporting a patron who is gambling harmfully
Support you in fostering a safe gambling environment in your venue
Teach you how to explain counselling and support services to patrons
Help you in supporting patrons who want to self-exclude or self-ban from your venue
Upcoming Events
20 March
ThursdayMetro North and South SGNet Meeting
SGNet brings together government, industry, and the community to discuss our efforts towards the Gambling Harm Minimisation Plan. There is free 3-hour parking on site for event attendees. Please note registaration is yet to open for this event
The Star Brisbane Event Centre - Paddington Room
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Free