What is gambling?

Gambling is happening when time and money are spent 'taking a risk' on an event with an uncertain outcome. Items of value, like money, cars, holidays, are given out according to the outcome of the event.

Outcomes include which horse or dog comes first, which symbols are displayed on a "pokie" machine after you press a button, or which numbers come up in a lottery.

The risk is that you don't know what the outcome will be before you use your or someone else's money to gamble. You might win, you might lose.

When does gambling become a problem?

There are different levels of gambling which can affect a person's wellbeing in different ways.

• Social Gambling is casual and fun. You may gain enjoyment from the gambling or social company.
• Heavy Gambling is where you gamble often and / or with large amounts of money. Your moods and emotions are likely to depend on gambling.
• Problem Gambling is where you are less and less able to resist the impulse to gamble. The gambling affects your moods, relationships, work / study and finances in a negative way.
• Pathological or Compulsive Gambling is where you are unable to resist the impulse to gamble. You are experiencing an addiction and your wellbeing is badly affected by the gambling.

Some people progress through each level over time. Others may reach the level of problem or compulsion very quickly. At the problem or pathological end the gambling is likely to also be affecting others around the person gambling.

The gambling has become a problem if it affects a person's wellbeing in any way indicated above, and is also a problem if it is affecting those around them.

Is there a problem and how can I tell?

Think about these questions:

• Do you bet more than you can afford to lose?
• Do you need to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling of excitement?
• Do you go back another day to win back money you have lost?
• Do you borrow money or sell things to gamble?
• Do you feel you might have a problem with gambling?
• Do people criticise you or tell you that you have a problem with gambling, whether or not you think it is true?
• Do you feel guilty about the way you gamble, or what happens when you gamble?
• Has your gambling caused you any health problems, including stress or anxiety?
• Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?

What do I want to do about my gambling?

That may be clear to you already, or you could have some thoughts or questions you would like to work through. Other people who have decided to do something about their gambling and have successfully stopped or cut back on their gambling say it's important to be clear about your reasons for doing so.

People have different reasons to do something about their gambling. Some of the reasons include:

• emotional / personal
• financial
• relationships and the effects of gambling on the family
• health
• effects on work or study
• social life
• legal issues.

What are your reasons? If you would like to talk about this in more detail, call the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655

How can I stop or manage my gambling?

• Call the Gambling Helpline as often as you want for ongoing support.
• Contact a local face-to-face counselling agency or Gamblers Anonymous support group.
• Talk to the Gambling Debt Helpline about strategies to address your gambling debt.
• Have a check-up with your doctor. The better you're feeling, the more energy you'll have to take control of your life.
• Plan your day so you know what's going to fill your time. Think about some healthy alternatives to gambling and include time to do something special for yourself as well as for family and friends.
• List 10 to 20 safe and achievable things you can do if you get any urges to gamble.
• Take one day (or even one hour) at a time.
• Consider how you can involve the people you care about in your plans to stop or reduce your gambling.
• Be honest with yourself.
• Now that you've taken the first step, use positive words like "I can…" and "I'm going to…"
• Give yourself a pat on the back every time you make progress.

If you fear you might harm or kill yourself, it is vital you seek help immediately. You can seek help by:

• Ringing the Gambling Helpline
• Ringing Lifeline (24 hour telephone counselling)
• Contacting your doctor
• Contacting your local emergency services (check your telephone directory)
• Contacting your local police or dial 111 if an emergency.
  

Who can support me?

People who get support are more successful in overcoming their gambling problems than those who try to go it alone. It is important you have people you can talk to about what's going on and how you're feeling.

• The Gambling Helpline provides support for any person affected by problem gambling including family and friends. All calls are free.
• Face-to-face counselling can make a big difference to those wanting to make changes in their lives. It can often help get to the underlying issues connected with your gambling. Call the Gambling Helpline to find one closest to you.
• There may also be a Gamblers Anonymous group in your area. The Gambling Helpline can tell you where they meet and who to contact.
• Supportive family and friends who you can talk to and spend time with can make things a lot easier too.
• Your doctor is another good support option.
• The Gambling Helpline's website has a Talking Point forum where people experiencing similar problems post their stories and provide each other with support.

Are you affected by somebody's gambling?

Gambling not only affects the gambler, but can affect the wellbeing of those around the gambler also. You may suspect someone you know of having a gambling problem, or you may have found out about someone's gambling.

Approaching someone about their gambling can be difficult. Finding out about someone's gambling problem can lead to a whole range of emotions, including shock, confusion, betrayal, grief, anger, sadness and fear. You may want to discuss these feelings and how the gambling is affecting you. The Gambling Helpline also supports family, friends, work colleagues and anyone else concerned about someone else's gambling.

Gambling Helpline

Gambling Helpline provides a free phone line support for gambling problems. You can also visit the Gambling Helpline website for more information, including information on the specialist services they also run.

Original material provided by the Gambling Helpline (New Zealand) and reviewed by everybody, February 2006.