Unfortunately, many problem gamblers are unaware of how serious their gambling habits can be. If you’re curious about whether or not your gambling habits are getting out of control, then this post may be of some help to you.
Consumer Law Barristers have recently launched a campaign which looks at the red flags which could indicate you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and we want to share some of them with you.
Having to lie about gambling:
If you feel as if you have to hide the amount of money you’re spending on gambling or the frequency of time you find yourself on gambling apps or websites, then this may be a cause for concern. Hiding the issue can potentially make things worse, as you’re battling the problem on your own and not speaking to people around you who could provide some advice on how to take back control of your habits.
Increasing the amount of money you spend gambling:
If you started off making small bets and have upped the amount of money which you spend on gambling over time, there’s also reason to be concerned about your habits. Many people who end up having a gambling issue, find themselves in that situation because they are trying to chase the feeling they may have felt from a bet which secured them a healthy amount of money; but this is a dangerous road to go down.
Trying to win money to cover your debts:
It’s not unusual for problem gamblers to get into so much debt, that they believe that the only way to pay their debts is to win a windfall through gambling. If you’ve become stressed by mounting debt and have considered placing bets in order to try and win money to cover your losses, it’s worth seeking professional help.
Do you spend too much money on gambling?
If you’ve ever gambled money which you’ve put aside for necessities such as rent or groceries, your gambling has stopped being a hobby and has become a priority in your life. As you should only gamble money which you can afford to lose and it’s extremely dangerous to gamble with money that your household needs to function properly.
So if you’ve become quite concerned that your gambling habits may have turned into an unhealthy obsession, it’s worth looking at ways to try and take hold of your problem, or seek professional help if you feel that’s the best solution.
