The red flags which indicate you’re a problem gambler and what to do about them

Over recent years it seems like the number of people seeking help for gambling addictions has been on the rise. Although many people have realised their problems and turned to professionals for the correct help, it isn’t always easy to spot the red flags which could indicate either you or someone close to you has a gambling problem. 

You only have to turn on a sports channel to see numerous amounts of adverts for betting companies or open a newspaper to see a full paper advertisement for betting offers on upcoming sporting events. With this in mind, it’s easy to understand why people develop gambling addictions and more needs to be done to prevent such problems. 

To help you identify the signs which could mean you or someone you know is developing a gambling problem, Consumer Law Barristers want to share some information which can help you spot the red flags and learn how to deal with them. 

A preoccupation with gambling 

If you become a more frequent gambler, it’s more than likely you’ll start to think about gambling on a regular basis, which could indicate you have the start of an addiction. Although many people aren’t aware of it, gambling disorder is classed as a mental health issue and is taken very seriously. If you find that you’re regularly thinking about gambling or it’s causing a distraction from your everyday life, then it’s at this point you may want to seek professional help. 

Gambling more than you can afford 

Many people will gamble on the odd occasion and use any spare money they have. Unfortunately, this can spiral out of control and individuals can often find themselves dipping into savings they might have, or money they need for essentials, such as food and bills. If you find yourself starting to do ths, then as well as leading to a gambling problem, it can also cause dangerous amounts of debt to mount up, which is only going to make the problem harder to control. 

What are the best ways to get on top of problem gambling? 

To begin with, the first step to take is to make sure you’re setting limits on the amount of time and money you spend on gambling. For example, if you use betting apps or online services, then set yourself an amount per week and once the money has gone, you close your apps down until the following week. 

If you feel like you have tried to set limits on the amount of time and money you spend on gambling and it hasn’t been successful, then you may want to take it to the next stage and install a blocking software on your device. This will prevent you from using numerous apps and websites, as well as giving you some time to clear your head and take a break. 

It’s not always easy to recognise whether you or someone you know has a gambling problem, but hopefully with the points we’ve mentioned, you’ll be able to notice as soon as possible and get the correct help.