Problem Gambling

Don’t Let The Game Play You.

Gambling can become a problem when it interferes with a person’s finances, relationships, work, or mental health.

What Is Gambling?

Gambling is when you risk money or something valuable on a game or event that has an uncertain outcome. It has three parts: risk, prize, and chance.

Gambling can be a fun activity for some people. But for others, it can become a serious problem that affects their money, mental health, work, and relationships.

Common forms of gambling include:

  • Sports betting
  • Loot boxes or blind boxes in video games
  • Slot machines
  • Casino games
  • Lotteries
  • Bingo
  • Online and mobile betting apps

Some types of gambling, such as electronic gambling machines and casino games, are linked to a higher risk of harm.

What Is Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling is a pattern of gambling behavior that disrupts personal, family, or community well-being. It can affect people of all ages, income levels, and backgrounds, and often co-occurs with stress, anxiety, depression, or substance use.

What Is Gambling Addiction?

Gambling addiction is when gambling begins to disrupt daily life, like family, work, school, finances, and relationships.

Unlike drug or alcohol problems, gambling problems can stay hidden for a long time. A person may lose money or struggle emotionally before others notice.

Gambling problems can lead to:

  • Serious financial loss
  • Relationship problems
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Job loss
  • Legal trouble
  • Thoughts of suicide

Signs of a Gambling Problem

A person may:

  • Think about gambling all the time
  • Feel the need to bet more and more money
  • Try to win back lost money (“chasing losses”)
  • Hide or lie about gambling
  • Borrow money or build up debt
  • Gamble to deal with stress or strong emotions
  • Feel restless or irritable when trying to stop
  • Try to cut back but not succeed
  • Keep gambling even when it causes problems

Why Prevention Matters

Gambling is a public health concern around the world. Today, sports betting and mobile apps allow people to gamble anytime, day or night. This easy access increases risk.

Research shows that people with gambling disorder are at much higher risk for suicide than the general population.

Some groups may be at higher risk, including:

  • Adolescents and young adults
  • People with mental health or substance use disorders
  • People facing financial stress
  • Military service members and veterans
  • People with a history of trauma
  • People going through major life changes, such as divorce, retirement, injury, or the death of a loved one
  • People experiencing poverty, discrimination, or other hardships

BRBH’s Prevention and Support Efforts

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare (BRBH) works to prevent problem gambling and provide support.

Our efforts include:

  • Education campaigns based on research
  • School and youth programs
  • The Young Adult Survey (YAS)
  • Beyond the Bet initiative
  • Public awareness campaigns
  • Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March
  • Responsible gambling messages in community settings

Getting Help Is the First Step

If you or someone you care about may have a gambling problem, help is available.

Resources and Support

National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-MY-RESET

This is a free and confidential service that connects callers to resources and treatment in their state, including Virginia.

Gamblers Anonymous:
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Gam-Anon (support for family and friends):
www.gam-anon.org

GamTalk (24/7 online peer support forum):
www.gamtalk.org

Do I Have A Gambling Problem?

These tools can help you see if your gambling may be a problem.

  • Problem Gambling Self-Assessment (National Council on Problem Gambling)
  • “Lie-Bet” Two-Question Screen:
    1. Have you ever lied to people important to you about how much you gamble?
    2. Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?

If you answer “yes” to one or both questions, you should contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline or visit their website for support.

If You Are in Crisis

If you or someone you care about is in immediate danger or thinking about self-harm, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

You are not alone. Help is available.

Free Printable Handout

References

https://vcpg.net/events-education/ https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/gambling

Helpline Home

FAQs: What is Problem Gambling?

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/american_english/gambling

https://dbhds.virginia.gov/problem-gambling-support/

Problem Gambling Self Assessment

https://psychology-tools.com/test/nods-clip

https://oasas.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/01/approved-gambling-screening-and-assessment-tools.pdf

https://www.evergreencpg.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/7-NODS-perc.pdf https://www.divisiononaddiction.org/wp-content/plugins/bbgs-e-screener/index.php

https://oasas.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/02/dsmvgamblingdiagnosticform.pdf

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10048743/

Karlsson, A., & Håkansson, A. (2018). Gambling disorder, increased mortality, suicidality, and associated comorbidity: A longitudinal nationwide register study. Journal of behavioral addictions, 7(4), 1091–1099. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.7.2018.112