Gambling Addiction

Gambling addiction is a problem that can develop when a person loses control over their gambling. In this article, we’ll focus on signs of gambling addiction and explain in detail what you or someone close to you should do if you recognise the signs of problem gambling.

What Is Gambling Addiction?

For many people, gambling is just a form of entertainment. However, some players may lose control and develop serious issues, often starting with a subtle sign that's easy to miss. It’s not about willpower, it’s a condition in which a person becomes unable to stop gambling despite understanding the negative consequences for their relationships, work, mental health, and finances. And this condition may require professional help.

Signs of a Gambling Problem

There are many signs of problem gambling, but we’ll focus on those based on clinical criteria:

Chasing losses: when you can’t stop playing and increase your bets in an attempt to recover money you’ve lost.
Unsuccessful attempts to quit: when you try to cut down or stop gambling, but continue, unable to do so.
Restlessness or irritability when trying to cut down or stop gambling.
Playing to reduce stress: you feel you have to gamble to relieve stress, and without it you feel anxious.
Lying to loved ones about your gambling habits and the money spent on gambling.
Borrowing money/going into debt, especially when you spend everything you have.
Gambling at the expense of work/study/relationships.

These are just some of the signs. You can’t diagnose yourself by this list. If you feel that gambling starts affecting your daily life, contact a specialist or a helpline.

If You Think You Have a Problem

If you understand you’re suffering from problem gambling, some steps could help you at the beginning:

Talk to someone you trust about it.
Take a break, put gambling on pause for a while.
Use a self-exclusion programme or any other responsible gambling tool to create distance.
Contact a specialist: a therapist, a helpline, or any other support resource.

Remember that in most cases, professional help is strongly recommended. Don’t underestimate it and don’t delay seeking it.

Helping Someone You Care About

Helping your loved one who is suffering from gambling addiction can be tough. But remember that you’re not alone in it. There are many families who face the same gambling problem.

If you don’t know how to identify your partner/parent/friend as having a gambling addiction, here are some signs that can help you recognise it: lies about gambling, borrowing money, distancing, gambling at the expense of basic needs.

If you’re struggling to support your loved one, you can follow a few tips. Don’t judge them and don’t pay the bills for them. But seeking suitable treatment, professional help, or counselling is essential, and being by their side, if possible, helps too.

Myths vs Facts

There are a plethora of myths that surround gambling. Let’s debunk them.

Myth	Fact
It’s only a problem when you’re losing.	Problem gambling is not about winning or losing. It’s about loss of control, and it can happen either way.
Gambling occasionally protects you from addiction.	Addiction can develop even in people who gamble infrequently.
Responsible and disciplined people don’t suffer from gambling addiction.	Everyone can develop a gambling addiction regardless of personality and self-control.

Where to Get Help in Australia

If you or your loved one is suffering from problem gambling, you can contact these resources:

Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858, the main helpline for problem gambling (24/7, free, confidential). Single number covering both GHO and GambleAware. gamblinghelponline.org.au
BetStop — betstop.gov.au. National self-exclusion register. It blocks access to all Australian-licensed online/phone operators in one step.
National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007, free financial consultations for debt issues. Debt is a major component of gambling-related harm. ndh.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636. Anxiety and depression (often linked with problem gambling). More topic-relevant than Lifeline for non-crisis mental health. beyondblue.org.au
Lifeline: 13 11 14. It’s a crisis support (suicide, acute distress). lifeline.org.au
13YARN: 13 92 76. Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 13yarn.org.au
Gamblers Anonymous Australia: gaaustralia.org.au. Peer support groups.

Playing Safely

If you continue playing, do it with clear boundaries. Simple responsible gambling tools, such as setting deposit limits, taking regular breaks, and using self-exclusion programmes, can make a real difference.

This content aligns with responsible gambling requirements under the National Consumer Protection Framework. It can’t serve as an alternative to professional help and serves informational purposes only.

Read more on our Responsible Gambling page.

Last Updated: 7 September 2026