PROBLEM GAMBLING
Problem gambling is the Elephant in the Room.
Let’s Talk about it.
It’s not just the gambler with the problem who’s at risk. Families suffer in silence, often too ashamed to confront the elephant in the room. For every gambler, eight to ten others experience gambling- related harms.
What is Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling, also known as gambling disorder or compulsive gambling, is defined as the uncontrollable urge to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. It can interfere with a person’s life, relationships and responsibilities.
Virtually anyone – men or women, young or old, and those from every religion, race and socio-economic background – is at risk for developing a gambling problem.
The good news is that help is available and it works! Click here for a list of treatment providers.
Get the Support You Need.
Confidential Financial Counseling.
We understand that problem gambling can strain finances. That’s why we’ve partnered with Lutheran Social Services counselors to provide a valuable, no-cost resource for those experiencing financial issues from gambling, whether you are the gambler or a family member: Financial Choice services through LSS Financial Counseling.
ARTICLES ABOUT PROBLEM GAMBLING
The WAGER, Vol. 30(2) – An examination of parental views on adolescent gambling
A study in Australia found that while most parents disapprove of adolescent gambling, many gamble in their child’s presence, especially fathers with sons. READ MORE
The Lancet Report Sees Gambling as Growing Public Health Threat
Rapid gambling expansion poses escalating global public health crisis. READ MORE
How Can the Gambling Industry Change?
By adopting a fresh perspective focused on safety and sustainability, the gambling industry can make positive changes. READ MORE
In Their Own Words – Mia’s Story
Mia, whose world was turned upside down when she learned about her husband’s gambling problem, is learning to cope with a new reality. READ MORE
SELF-HELP PUBLICATIONS
View, download or order a hard copy below (These are meant to be supplemental guides, not a replacement for therapy)
- Your First Step to Change, 2nd Edition. A self-help toolkit of resources to help start the journey toward recovery from problem gambling behavior.
- Personal Financial Strategies for the Loved Ones of Problem Gamblers
BROCHURES
- Warning Signs of Problem Gambling (English, Spanish, Chinese, Hmong and Vietnamese)
- What Families Can Do When a Loved One has a Gambling Problem (English and Spanish)
- What is Problem Gambling? (English, Somali and Spanish)
- Gambling When in Recovery (English and Spanish)
- Gaming Disorder (English and Spanish)
- Gamban—Block Access to Your Devices (English and Spanish)
- Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines
- Older Adults and Gambling
- Talking to Your Child About Gaming
(English, Spanish, Chinese, Hmong, Lao and Vietnamese) - Youth and Gambling—What Parents Need to Know
BROCHURES for professionals
- Be Part of the Solution (English and Spanish)
- Why Screen for Gambling Disorder? (English and Spanish)
Newsletter
- Northern Lights - MNAPG Quarterly Newsletter
Interested in receiving copies of our literature?
QUICK FACTS ON PROBLEM GAMBLING
Gambling for longer periods of time than originally planned
Bragging about wins, but not talking about losses
Increased frequency of gambling activity
Denying there is a problem
Lying about how money is spent
Pressuring others for money when financial problems arise
Escaping to other excesses (alcohol, drugs, sleep, video games, etc.)
Understanding Problem Gambling
REDUCING THE STIGMA
Destigmatizing gambling addiction is a key to treating the problem.
We need to reshape how we think about gambling addiction. Here are small acts you can take on your own to help:
- Be compassionate – Show understanding, kindness and support to those suffering from addiction. Withhold judgment, and instead simply listen to their experiences and needs.
- Do your research – Education grows empathy. If you understand what those in the grip of addiction are going through, you can better understand how to help.
- Avoid labels – Words like “addict” or “degenerate” puts blame on the individual. We want to avoid blaming the victim and instead focus on the real problem: the behavior.
- Educate others – Even those with good intentions can cause harm through a lack of knowledge. Share what you learn to help broaden the understanding.
There is a wide range of gamblers — from those who gamble casually for entertainment to those who become addicted. Here are some common groupings of gamblers:
- Casual social: Gambles as part of a social outing with others and usually sets time and money limits.
- Professional: Makes a living from gambling, often including sports betting, card games or trading stocks. While they spend a lot of time researching and playing, they typically keep their play within their financial, emotional and social limits.
Coping with the negative consequences of gambling addiction can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of shame, guilt and hopelessness.
The National Council on Problem Gambling has reported that about 20% of those diagnosed with gambling disorder attempt suicide – a higher percentage than any other addictive disorder. The families of problem gamblers are also at a higher risk of suicide for many of the same reasons.
Here are some facts about gambling and suicide:
- Suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts are much more likely to occur with problem gamblers than with the general population.
- Early onset problem gambling is associated with increased risk of suicide.
- Gambling-related suicide attempts are more likely to be made by older people.
- The risk of suicide in people with gambling problems is increased by comorbid substance use and comorbid mental disorders.
- There is a greater risk of suicide among veteran/active military who have gambling disorders.
If you or someone you know is talking about suicide, call the national helpline number 988, or call the Minnesota Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-333-HOPE or text “HOPE” to 53342.
2019 Suicide Fact Sheet from the American Association of Suicidology
- WHAT DO WE MEAN BY GAMBLING HARMS?
- PROBLEM GAMBLING IS A COMMON CO-MORBIDITY
- What Happens to the Brain?
Gambling can lead to serious harms to health. These include financial stress, relationship breakdown, family violence, mental illness and suicide.
Problem gambling often does not occur in isolation. It often occurs when these conditions are present:
- depression,
- anxiety,
- alcohol and drug issues,
- bad health,
- domestic violence,
- homelessness,
- financial hardship,
- legal problems,
- unemployment, and
- relationship breakdown.
Gambling when you have a substance use disorder places you at risk for developing a gambling addiction. This can present an additional challenge in your overall recovery
Brain Connections was a project developed in 2015 by a group of Canadian researchers to help those with gambling addiction understand what was happening with their brain in addiction by using common metaphors. In addition to this animated video, there are accompanying handouts.
Phases of Problem Gambling
winning PHASE
- It moves beyond occasional gambling when one experiences a large win or frequent wins.
- It’s exciting and the need to gamble more frequently builds and usually is accompanied by increasing wagers.
- One fantasizes about winning big and being a big shot.
LOSING PHASE
Remember, gambling is designed for the house to win. As frequency builds, so do the losses. That’s when people start to:
- gamble alone,
- chase losses,
- think only about gambling,
- spend less time with family and friends,
- may start to have some impact on their professional life, and
- start to exhibit some personality shifts – perhaps a bit more restless, irritable or withdrawn.
DESPERATION PHASE
The consequences of gambling disorder are significant and far-reaching. It can affect every aspect of an individual and their family’s lives.
- Financially, those with gambling disorder may find themselves filing for bankruptcy and, in the worst cases, may resort to stealing from others.
- Psychologically and spiritually, they are depleted, depressed and can be suicidal. As their addiction deepens, a problem gambler will withdraw from their normal activities and isolate themselves.
- Families suffer from neglect, abuse, lies and loss of trust. Work performance may decline or result in job loss, causing an individual into a deeper financial hole.
HOPELESSNESS PHASE
- While the desperation phase is bad, it worsens as the gambler spirals down to the point of hopelessness where all rational thoughts are distorted, and they see no way out of the chaos that is now their life.
- This may cause divorce, increase in substance use, emotional breakdowns or thoughts of suicide.