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Recognizing Problem Gambling: Symptoms & Diagnosis

Problem gambling goes by many names—gambling disorder, compulsive gambling, pathological gambling, or gambling addiction. While the names differ, the core issue remains the same: gambling becomes a problem when a person can’t stop gambling, despite suffering negative consequences.

Gambling may seem like harmless entertainment, and it is when you manage it right. But when it starts to affect your life, finances, or relationships, it turns into something else completely. That’s why it’s essential to evaluate your gambling habits if you suspect a problem and take the necessary steps to regain control.

If you or someone close to you is struggling with gambling, this guide will help you understand the issue and explore solutions.

What Is Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling is defined as the compulsive urge to continue gambling in the face of serious consequences, or the inability to stop even when you know you should. People struggling with problem gambling often find themselves unable to walk away, even when their behavior harms them or those around them.

Important Considerations:

Problem gambling isn’t just about how much you bet or how often you gamble—it’s about the impact it has on your life and relationships.
Even small wagers can become problematic if gambling causes stress, financial difficulties, or emotional distress.
Those who gamble frequently or wager large amounts are at a higher risk of developing harmful gambling habits.

Our Advice:

If gambling is negatively affecting your life—or if you feel unable to stop despite wanting to—it’s important to evaluate your habits and take action before the problem escalates.

The Progression of Problem Gambling

Addiction works differently for everybody, but there are common features. One of the simplest explanations comes from Dr. Robert L. Custer, MD’s Three Stages Model, published in 1982. We now know that this is a simplistic model, but it is still an exceptionally useful guide that shows how addictive pathways are laid down in the first place.

The Three Stages Model (Robert L. Custer, M.D.)

1. The Winning Stage

Problem gambling often starts with a win – that initial rush that gives the gambler a chance to dream and fantasize.

Key factors include:

Gambling frequency increases
Fantasies about future wins develop
Gambling often occurs socially
Neither the gambler nor others typically recognize any problem

2. The Losing Stage

No gambler wins forever, and the simple math of the situation means that the losing phase comes next. During this stage:

Gambling episodes become longer
Solitary gambling increases
Personality changes may occur
Work absences and careless attitudes develop
Financial problems emerge
Debts accumulate

3. The Desperation Stage

As the problem deepens:

Feelings of remorse and panic intensify
Reputation suffers
Work and social life deteriorate
Hopelessness sets in
Withdrawal symptoms may occur when unable to gamble
Serious financial pressure builds
Unpaid bills begin to have consequences

With mounting debts and diminished self-control, gamblers may make disastrous decisions. Eventually, with no more funds to gamble, no chance to the ‘big win,’ and reality closing in, many turn to alcohol or drug abuse, suffer serious emotional distress, and even suicidal ideation.

At this stage, reaching out for help is critical to breaking the cycle.

The Gambling Cycle: A Repetitive Pattern

While the three-stage model is linear, in reality, problem gambling often follows a cycle. GamCare’s problem gambling cycle highlights the recurring nature of addiction, which consists of five key phases:

Trigger: An event, emotion, or external factor, such as seeing a casino ad, activates the urge to gamble.
Urge: The craving to gamble hits the emotional triggers and is difficult to resist.
Gambling Episode: The individual starts gambling.
Further Gambling: Wins often mean continued play, while compulsive gamblers will chase losses. Statistically, it’s almost certain to end in a loss.
Gambling Stops: Funds run out, and the gambling stops until the next time.

This is a repetitive cycle, and the only way to break free when it becomes ingrained behavior is to actively seek help and strictly employ strategies to overcome problem gambling.

At this point, if you’re going to form healthy habits then you have to understand the progression and cyclical nature of gambling addiction. You have to know what unhealthy looks like first, and take action to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Recognizing the Signs & Symptoms of Problem Gambling

Problem gambling occurs when a person feels unable to stop gambling, despite its negative effects on their life. These consequences manifest in various ways, affecting a person’s finances, time, work, social life, and mental well-being. Below is a breakdown of the most common symptoms, helping you identify if gambling has become a problem.

Gambling addiction is a complex and emotional subject, and it’s easy to deny and deflect until it’s far too late for an easy solution. That is a defining trait of most addictions. The compulsive gambler, substance abuser, or alcoholic will try to hide the ill effects of their addiction from friends, loved ones, and themselves, until they just can’t hold it together anymore. By that time, they can be counting the cost in terms of their professional and private lives.

Don’t let it get to that stage. Pay close attention to these warning signs in your own life or that of a loved one. If you recognize any of these behaviors, don’t wait for the rest. Confide in someone you trust, or reach out to one of the many charities set up to help before a love of gambling becomes something more sinister.

10 Warning Signs of Gambling Addiction

1. Compulsive Urges and Loss of Control

If you want to stop gambling and just can’t, and you’re thinking more and more about gambling and the next bet, you have a problem that you need to address before it takes control.

2. Financial Deterioration

Mounting debts, borrowing money to gamble, selling assets, and neglecting essential bills are all increasingly big signs that you need to stop gambling. If you even think about covering these losses with more gambling, it’s time to get help.

3. Secret Behavior and Deception

If you hide your gambling and lie about the time or money you’re spending and the cause of gambling-related absences or financial issues, then your issue is getting serious.

4. Neglect of Responsibilities

Failing to meet work, family, or personal commitments due to gambling, including missing important events, deadlines, or appointments, are major red flags.

5. Emotional and Psychological Distress

Compulsive gamblers often experience intensifying feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, and depression. Some even use gambling as an escape mechanism from those feelings, which can turn into a destructive cycle.

6. Relationship Damage

One key sign that your gambling is becoming too important is deteriorating relationships with family and friends. If you’re spending more and more time isolated and find that your reputation is suffering due to broken trust, then it’s time to take serious action.

7. Professional Impact

If your work is suffering, you’re missing days, and your gambling compromises your professional relationships and your performance at work, then you need to do something before you lose your job or business.

8. Time Management Issues

Is gambling, or thinking about gambling, consuming increasingly more time? This can easily lead to serious problems and the inability to maintain a regular routine. That can have far-reaching consequences.

9. Physical and Mental Health Decline

Development of sleep issues, self-neglect in personal care and appearance, and the potential emergence of other mental health concerns are all severe signs of an escalating gambling habit.

10. Increasing Risk-Taking

Taking increasingly dangerous financial risks, making larger bets, and gambling with money needed for essential expenses, often accompanied by irrational beliefs about winning it all back, are massive red flags.

These symptoms often develop gradually and may vary in intensity. What begins as occasional gambling can evolve into a devastating condition that affects every aspect of life, and it’s better for you, your family, and everybody in your life if you don’t let it get that far.

Breaking the Cycle

Gambling addiction often follows a destructive cycle, where emotional distress leads to more gambling as an escape, worsening financial and personal struggles. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or someone else, seeking help early is essential to prevent further harm.

Many resources are available for support, self-exclusion, and financial recovery, helping individuals regain control over their lives.

How to Determine If You Have a Gambling Problem

Gambling can be a fun activity, but when it starts affecting your life negatively, it’s important to recognize the signs and take action. Various diagnostic tools can help you assess whether your gambling habits are problematic. Below, we summarize the most commonly used methods.

1. Gamblers Anonymous Questionnaire

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is a global organization that helps people struggling with gambling addiction through support groups and resources. To help individuals determine if they have a problem, GA provides a 20-question self-assessment covering areas such as:

Missing work or school due to gambling
Feeling guilt or remorse after gambling
Borrowing or selling belongings to finance gambling
Gambling to escape stress or emotional struggles
Chasing losses in an attempt to win back money
Lying about gambling habits
Considering self-harm due to gambling-related issues

According to Gamblers Anonymous, answering “yes” to seven or more questions suggests a gambling problem. You can access the full questionnaire and other resources on the Gamblers Anonymous website.

2. DSM-5 Gambling Disorder Diagnosis

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is the standard used by medical professionals to diagnose gambling addiction. To meet the criteria for a gambling disorder, an individual must exhibit at least four of the following symptoms within a 12-month period:

Increasing bet amounts to maintain excitement
Feeling restless or irritable when attempting to stop
Repeated unsuccessful attempts to quit or control gambling
Preoccupation with gambling (thinking about past bets, planning the next game, etc.)
Gambling to relieve stress, anxiety, or depression
Chasing losses by continuing to gamble after losing money
Lying to hide the extent of gambling habits
Damaging relationships, careers, or educational opportunities due to gambling
Relying on others for financial bailouts caused by gambling

Severity Levels of Gambling Disorder (DSM-5):

Mild: 4–5 criteria met
Moderate: 6–7 criteria met
Severe: 8–9 criteria met

Additionally, DSM-5 classifies gambling disorders into:

Episodic gambling disorder: Symptoms occur occasionally, with months between relapses.
Persistent gambling disorder: Symptoms continue uninterrupted for multiple years.

Remission stages:

Early remission: No gambling disorder symptoms for at least three months but less than a year.
Sustained remission: No gambling disorder symptoms for 12 months or longer.

While DSM-5 criteria provide a medical diagnosis framework, it’s best to seek professional help rather than self-diagnose.

3. Other Gambling Self-Assessment Tools

If you want to further evaluate your gambling habits, several online self-assessment tools can provide guidance:

These tools analyze your responses and provide feedback on whether you should seek help or take preventative measures.

If gambling is causing distress, financial hardship, or negatively impacting your life, it’s important to recognize the warning signs early. The Gamblers Anonymous questionnaire and DSM-5 criteria are useful for self-evaluation, but professional help is always the best step forward.

For additional support, consider using the self-assessment tools listed above or reaching out to a gambling support organization for guidance.

What to Do If You Have a Gambling Problem

If you know your gambling is becoming a problem, there are multiple steps you can take to regain control. From self-help strategies to professional treatment, you have options.

The best approach depends on how serious your gambling habits are, but the most important step is to take action as soon as possible. Ignoring the problem will only make things worse and you don’t need to wait for a full house of warning signs. One or two is enough to take action and get back on the right road.

Problem gambling is a serious issue, but recovery is possible with the right support.

To explore practical solutions, including self-exclusion tools, support groups, and treatment programs, check out our detailed guide on overcoming problem gambling and treatment options.