What starts out as fun and games can sometimes turn in a more problematic direction. It is important to be aware that gambling involves an amount of risk, and for certain people it can start having a negative impact on their health, finances, work or relationships. Excessive gambling can lead to loss of control and even addiction.
When gambling gets out of control, it can happen quickly, but more often than not, it is a gradual process and you might not notice it to start with. Being aware of the signs to look out for can help you catch any looming issues at an early stage so that you can start taking some precautionary actions before it gets out of hand.
Signs to watch out for
If any of the above applies to you, or if you have come to a realisation that it could be a good idea to make some changes to your gambling habits, you can feel comfort in the fact that there are things you can do about it – actions you can take to put a stop to a negative development. And there are plenty of tools and help available along the way.
Strategies to stay in control
Gambling budget
Know your own gambling
Be mindful of the time spent
Check that you’re still having fun?
Keep on eye on the consequences
Ask for Help
Struggling to make a change?
Changing our habits can be easier said than done. We can all be blind to our own bad habits from time to time and it is easy to find excuses and rationalise our behaviour. It can be difficult to admit to ourselves that something that we used to, and might still be enjoying, is also getting in the way of the life we want to lead.
It is normal to have ambivalent feelings about your gambling. On the one hand, you might enjoy the excitement when you play and the exhilaration of a win. On the other hand, that good feeling might start to more and more often be replaced by regrets and negative emotions. If that is the case, it could be worth stopping and asking yourself if the price you pay for gambling is worth it?
Even if it is uncomfortable to think about, it is important not to ignore those feelings, thoughts or signs. It might feel easier to start off with some small steps towards making a positive change. There is good help available to eventually get you there and to avoid some of the common pitfalls on the way.
Resistance to realise or admit a problem is a common hurdle many people struggle with. Do you recognise any of the following ways to rationalise your behaviour?
“I’m on a roll”
“I’ll quit as soon as I win back what I lost”
“I was so close, next spin it is definitely my turn”
“I can’t believe that I have spent this much and still not won. I should be due a win or there must be something wrong with the machine”
When you are caught up in a game, it can be difficult to think rationally about your gambling. What happens in your brain when you win, or even just the thought of winning can have a quite powerful effect on the way you think at that moment. In turn, that can lead to inaccurate conclusions about your chances of winning and unnecessary risk taking. It is a very common phenomenon and part of how the human brain works.
Taking a break, clearing your mind and getting some distance from gambling is a good way to think more rationally about your game and the chances of winning. Also, getting informed about how the games work and reminding yourself that there is no way of controlling a random outcome can help you see through your own arguments.
“One more bet won’t hurt”
“I guess I went a bit overboard a few times, but it’s not like I have a problem”
“I will take a break, I just…..”
“It’s not that bad, I will soon get more money”
“There are others far worse than me”
Ignoring or downplaying signs of concern is a common way to rationalise your behaviour and an excuse for not having to take action straight away. Remember that sticking your head in the sand is generally not a good strategy. Problems like these don’t tend to resolve themselves and might instead get worse and worse if not dealt with. We realise that acknowledging a problem can be a difficult step, but it is an important one so try not to resist or delay it. Talking to someone might help you see things from a different perspective.
“I have already lost so much, so I might as well place these last bets too”
“I have so much on my plate right now, gambling is the only fun I have”
“The only thing that could solve the problems I’m in is to hit a big win to make it right again”
“Yes, maybe I should cut down, but I just don’t have the energy to deal with it right now”
Feeling overwhelmed by a problem or feeling like you have painted yourself into a corner can sometimes make you feel paralysed, prevent you from seeing a way out or even deplete you of the energy to do anything about it. No matter how difficult your situation is, please know that, to keep gambling is only going to make your problems worse.
If you feel at a loss of what to do or if you doubt that you have what it takes to make a change at the moment, that is OK. Gambling issues can be difficult to deal with on your own. Luckily there is help to get, so don’t delay reaching out for it. It is never too late to take the first steps towards a change.
Find help available in your local area
Click here for our self-exclusion tool to help you take a break and avoid the temptation to play more.
