What are the warning signs of a gambling problem?

One can tell when their gambling habits have progressed from harmless diversion to compulsive disorder. If you’ve ever wondered if you have a gambling problem, here are a few warning signals.

As a kind of behavioural addiction (sometimes called “process addictions”), compulsive gambling is characterised by an individual’s obsessive need to place bets notwithstanding negative consequences. When a person develops a gambling addiction, they may continue to gamble despite the harm it causes them – check out casino slots no deposit games.

Eighty-six per cent of American adults have gambled at least once in their lifetimes, and 52 per cent have played the lottery within the last year. Gambling addiction occurs at a rate anywhere from 0.12% to 5.8% globally and between 2-5% in North America.

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There is a wide range of symptoms.

In addition to excessive gambling, the following behaviours may indicate that you or someone you know is battling with compulsive gambling.

Symptoms of gambling addiction, including changes in behaviour and interactions with others
Gambling without sufficient funds is a fool’s errand. Problem gamblers may spend their life savings or inheritance on the games or even take out second mortgages on their homes to fund their habit. Some other aspect of one’s financial situation is neglected or put off.
You spend more time in the casino than you intended; once you start betting or playing, you can only stop once you’ve gone broke.
As time goes on, you start to prioritise gambling over other things that used to matter to you.
Lacking any ability to resist the temptation to gamble despite strong desires to do so
Using stolen or borrowed funds, or the proceeds from the sale of personal property, to finance gambling.
Compulsive planning of one’s next move in a game or wager
Holding on to your gambling despite its disastrous results
Spending ever-greater sums on gambling until one either wins or is too broke to continue.
Relationships that have been strained or destroyed as a direct result of your compulsive gambling and spending
Work performance decline and absences as a result of compulsive gambling
Putting oneself at risk of being alone by avoiding communication with loved ones
You’ve been lying to your friends and family about how much time and money you spend gambling because you know they won’t understand or because you want your next big victory to surprise them.
Refusing to accept that you and others have a problem