​What is problem gambling?

Problem gambling is not just about losing money. Gambling problems can affect a person’s whole life.

Gambling is a problem when it:

• gets in the way of work, school or other activities
  
• harms your mental or physical health
  
• hurts you financially
  
• damages your reputation
  
• causes problems with your family or friends.
  

People who have gambling problems

• Not all people who gamble excessively are alike, nor are the problems they face. People with gambling problems are found in all age groups, income groups, cultures and jobs. Some people develop gambling problems suddenly, others over many years.
  
• In Ontario, 4.8 per cent of adults (449,000 people) have moderate or severe gambling problems. An additional 9.6 per cent (860,000 people) are classified as “at-risk” for problem gambling.
  
• Only a small percentage of people who have gambling problems use Ontario’s specialized counselling services.
  
• According to the CAMH publication The Mental Health and Well-Being of Ontario Students 1991–2007, 4.7 per cent of students (7.5 per cent of males and 1.8 per cent of females) engaged in heavy gambling in 2007.
  
• Men and women are equally likely to gamble, but men tend to spend more money.
  
• Problem gambling prevalence rates are higher for people with a history of mental illness or substance use problems.
  
• A 2001 survey for the Responsible Gambling Council found that one in six Ontario adults report a problem resulting from either their own or another person’s gambling. Families may experience financial difficulty, emotional distress and physical illness.
  
• According to estimates from the United States, one person in five who experiences problems related to gambling will eventually file for bankruptcy (National Council on Problem Gambling and National Endowment for Financial Education). In a Quebec study, 28 per cent of people with severe gambling problems had declared bankruptcy and one-third had debts between $75,000 and $150,000. A further 35 per cent were about to declare bankruptcy.
  
• Twenty-one Ontario credit counselling offices surveyed by CAMH in 2002 indicated that, on average, 14 per cent of their clients had financial problems related to gambling. The true number is likely higher, because gambling problems are typically under-reported.
  

What are the signs of problem gambling?

Gambling problems share many similarities with other addictive disorders. However, there are no visible signs or physical changes that will indicate a gambling problem.

Instead, there are common behavioural, emotional, financial and health signs.

Behavioural signs

The individual:

• stops doing things he or she previously enjoyed
  
• misses family events
  
• changes patterns of sleep, eating or sex
  
• ignores self-care, work, school or family tasks
  
• has conflicts with other people over money
  
• uses alcohol or other drugs more often
  
• leaves children alone, seems less concerned about who looks after them, neglects their basic care
  
• thinks about gambling all the time
  
• is less willing to spend money on things other than gambling
  
• cheats or steals to get the money to gamble or pay debts
  
• has legal problems related to gambling
  
• is often late for work or school
  
• organizes staff pools
  
• is gone for long, unexplained periods of time
  
• neglects personal responsibilities.
  

Emotional signs

The individual:

• withdraws from family and friends
  
• seems far away or anxious, or has difficulty paying attention
  
• has mood swings and sudden outbursts of anger
  
• complains of boredom or restlessness
  
• seems depressed or suicidal.
  

Financial signs

The individual:

• frequently borrows money or asks for salary advances
  
• takes a second job without a change in finances
  
• cashes in savings accounts, RRSPs or insurance plans
  
• alternates between being broke and flashing money.
  

Family members complain that valuables and appliances are disappearing, or money is missing from a bank account or wallet.

Health signs

The individual complains of stress-related health problems, such as:

• headaches
  
• stomach and bowel problems
  
• difficulty sleeping
  
• overeating, or loss of appetite.
  

What are the risk factors for developing a gambling problem?

There are many reasons why a gambling problem may develop. For example, some people develop problems when they try to win back money they have lost, or because they like to be “in the action.” Others have many life stresses and consider gambling a welcome relief.

Various risk factors can contribute to the development of gambling problems or make it more difficult to stop. People are more at risk if they:

• have an early big win (leading to false expectation of future wins)
  
• have easy access to their preferred form of gambling
  
• hold mistaken beliefs about the odds of winning
  
• do not take steps to monitor gambling wins and losses
  
• have had a recent loss or change, such as divorce, job loss, retirement or death of a loved one
  
• often feel bored or lonely, or have a history of risk taking or impulsive behaviour
  
• have financial problems
  
• have few interests or hobbies, or feel their lives lack direction
  
• have a history of mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety
  
• have been abused or traumatized
  
• have a parent who also has (or has had) problems with gambling
  
• have (or have had) problems with alcohol or other drugs, gambling or overspending
  
• tie their self-esteem to gambling wins or losses.
  

The more factors that apply, the more likely a person is to develop a gambling problem.

Gambling problems occur along a continuum. These are not discrete categories but possible points along a range of involvement, from not gambling at all to pathological gambling:

• No gambling: Some people never gamble.
  
• Casual social gambling: Most people gamble casually, buying the occasional raffle or lottery ticket or occasionally visiting a casino for entertainment.
  
• Serious social gambling: These people play regularly. It is their main form of entertainment, but it does not come before family and work.
  
• Harmful involvement: These people are experiencing difficulties in their personal, work and social relationships.
  
• Pathological gambling: For a small but significant number of people, gambling seriously harms all aspects of their lives. People with gambling problems this severe are unable to control the urge to gamble, despite the harm it causes. These people are more likely to use gambling to escape from problems and to get relief from anxiety.
  

What is the difference between low-risk and harmful gambling?

Not all gambling is a problem. Gambling may be low risk or it may be harmful.

Low-risk gambling means you:

• limit how much time and money you spend gambling
  
• accept your losses, and don’t try to win them back
  
• enjoy winning, but know it happened by chance
  
• balance gambling with other fun activities
  
• don’t gamble to earn money or pay debts
  
• don’t gamble when your judgment is impaired by alcohol or other drugs
  
• never borrow money or use personal investments or family savings to gamble
  
• don’t gamble to escape from your problems or feelings
  
• don’t hurt your job, health, finances, reputation or family through your gambling.
  

Harmful gambling means you have started to:

• lie about your gambling or keep it a secret
  
• lose track of time and play for longer than you meant to
  
• feel depressed or angry after gambling
  
• spend more money than you planned, or more than you can afford
  
• ignore work and family responsibilities because of gambling
  
• borrow money or use household money to gamble
  
• “chase your losses” to try to win back your money
  
• believe that gambling will pay off in the end
  
• see gambling as the most important thing in your life
  
• use gambling to cope with your problems or to avoid things
  
• have conflicts with family and friends over gambling
  
• ignore your physical and emotional health because of gambling.

​What are the effects of gambling?

Rewards and risks

Gambling may potentially have both rewards and risks. As a result, many people have mixed feelings about gambling. They may not want to give up gambling, but at the same time they may see it is causing harm. Mixed feelings like these can be very confusing.

Rewards

Here are some of the reasons why people may gamble:

• “I love the thrill of playing.”
  
• “I know a big payout could solve all my problems.”
  
• “Gambling is my only shot at becoming a millionaire.”
  
• “I feel important when I win. I love being able to treat my family and friends.”
  
• “I have a sure system. It's just a matter of time before I win again.”
  
• “When I am on, I can make money fast and easily.”
  
• “Gambling lets me forget my problems and pain for a while.”
  
• “Gambling is the one thing in my life that is just for me. When I gamble, I'm in control.”
  
• “Gambling gets me out of the house. I feel safe and welcome.”
  
• “All my friends gamble.”
  

Risks

Here are some of the reasons why people may think about getting help for their gambling:

• “My partner is threatening to leave me if I don't stop.”
  
• “We fight all the time about my gambling.”
  
• “I'm tired of sneaking around, lying and hiding my losses.”
  
• “My reputation has been hurt.”
  
• “Creditors are hassling me. I'm looking at bankruptcy.”
  
• “Gambling is all I ever think about. It has taken over my life.”
  
• “I've stopped caring about things that should be important to me.”
  
• “I've borrowed money from so many people. I feel ashamed to face them.”
  
• “I'm afraid I'll lose my job because I'm always so distracted.”
  
• “My health is suffering.”
  
• “I don't even enjoy gambling most of the time.”
  
• “I feel like such a loser."
  

Impact on families

Gambling problems hurt families in many ways:

• Money problems: When family members learn that savings, property or belongings have been lost, it can make them feel scared, angry and betrayed.
  
• Emotional problems and isolation: Gambling problems cause strong feelings among family members, which make it harder to solve problems. Many partners of those with gambling problems do not want to be emotionally or physically close with the person who has hurt them. Family members may avoid other people, because they feel ashamed. This makes it hard to get love and support.
  
• Physical and mental health: The stress of gambling problems sometimes causes health problems, both for the person who gambles and for the family. These can include anxiety, depression and stress-related problems such as poor sleep, ulcers, bowel problems, headaches and muscle pains. 
  
• Burnout: Many families under stress have trouble coping. One member may try to keep things in control by taking on more tasks. This can lead to burnout. Family members often forget to take care of themselves or to have fun.
  
• Impact on children: When a parent or caregiver has a gambling problem, children can feel forgotten, depressed and angry. They may believe they caused the problem and that if they are good, the problem will stop. Children may believe they must take sides between their parents. They may stop trusting a parent who makes promises he or she doesn't keep. Some children may try to draw attention away from the parent with the gambling problem by misbehaving.
  
• Physical and emotional abuse: Family violence is more common when families are in crisis. Gambling problems can lead to physical or emotional abuse of a partner, elder parent or child. If this is happening in your family, get help right away.
  

Anxiety and depression

Many people who gamble excessively feel stressed, anxious and depressed. This can make sleeping, thinking and solving problems more difficult.

If you have some of the following symptoms for more than two weeks, making your day-to-day life difficult, you may have chronic depression:

• You have lost interest in usual activities.
  
• You feel depressed, down in the dumps or irritable.
  
• Your sleep has changed (e.g., you have problems falling asleep or staying asleep, or you sleep too much).
  
• Your appetite has changed. You have lost or gained weight.
  
• You feel helpless, hopeless or despairing.
  
• It is hard to think and to remember things, and your thoughts seem slower.
  
• You go over and over guilty feelings. You can’t stop thinking about problems.
  
• You have lost interest in sex.
  
• You feel physically tired, slow and heavy; or you feel restless and jumpy.
  
• You feel angry.
  
• You think about suicide.
  

If you have any of these difficulties, speak to your family doctor or other health care professional (a gambling counsellor can also make sure you get the help you need). Tell him or her about your gambling problems too. Treatment may include medications and/or counselling

Suicide risk

Rates of suicide are higher for people who gamble excessively, and for their family members. The people most likely to attempt suicide are those who also have mental health problems (like depression) or who heavily use alcohol or other drugs. People who have threatened suicide or hurt themselves in the past are also more at risk. If you feel suicidal or are making plans to end your life, get help right away. You don't have to deal with your problems alone.

What to do if you feel suicidal

If you are thinking about ending your life:

• Get to your local emergency department immediately.
  
• Remove any means for ending your life (e.g., firearms, medications).
  
• Let your family or a friend know how you are feeling.
  
• Call the local Distress Centre for support and information.
  
• Let your doctor know what is going on, including your gambling.
  
• Do not drink alcohol or take other drugs as it will make matters worse.
  
• Contact the Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline (1 888 230-3505) and arrange to see a counsellor as soon as possible. You can usually be seen within days.
  
• Talk to someone you trust, such as a friend or spiritual advisor.
  

Adapted from problemgambling.ca © 2010 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

​How is problem gambling treated?

Free treatment, including counselling, is available to anyone in Ontario affected by gambling. This includes family members. Counselling can help people understand why they gamble, so they can stop, cut down or change their gambling. It can also help repair hurt feelings and regain trust with family members.

In most areas, an agency that offers specialized counselling for problem gambling is available close to home. In addition, telephone counselling and a self-help guide are also available. Credit and debt counselling services, family counselling and other resources may also be helpful. The Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline (1 888 230-3505) can link people to the support and resources they need. It is open 24 hours a day.

How can counselling help a family member?

When someone has a gambling problem, it can be hard for other family members to find hope for the future. Counselling can help you see that things can change. It can also help you see your family’s strengths and the positive steps you may already be taking.

Counselling is a learning process. With new information, you can make good decisions. Counsellors can help you solve your main problems. This may include fixing your financial situation, healing family relations and restoring trust between you and your partner.

How can counselling help the person who gambles?

People often ask if they will have to stop gambling to begin counselling. Only the individual can decide to quit gambling. A counsellor should not pressure the person to make changes before he or she is ready.

Gambling affects people and their families in different ways. Problem gambling counsellors give you information about gambling. They help you look at your options so you can decide what is right for you. This may include taking a break from gambling. Some people know right away what actions they want to take, and others aren’t sure. Either way, taking a break from gambling can help. Then you can think about how gambling affects you, and how to get back in control.

Counselling is a learning process. With new information, you can make good decisions. Counsellors can help you solve your main problems. This may include fixing your financial situation, healing family relations and restoring trust between you and your partner.​