There are many different types of gambling, including arcades, betting, bingo, casinos, lotteries, and gaming machines. With the rise of the internet, gambling has become much more accessible. People can now gamble online from home, anytime they choose.
Gambling harms refer to the negative impacts that gambling can have on someone’s life. These harms can affect nearly every area, mental and physical health, finances, relationships, education, and work.
If you’re close to someone who’s been affected by gambling, you might be feeling the impact too. It’s important to understand that it’s not your fault, and it’s not theirs either. The gambling industry creates products designed to be addictive, encouraging people to start gambling and making it hard to stop.
Why can gambling be harmful?
Recognising the signs that someone may be experiencing harm is a helpful first step in protecting yourself or supporting someone else.
Some common signs) include:
- Feeling anxious, low, or depressed
- Being easily stressed or irritable
- Trouble sleeping
- Thoughts of suicide or past suicide attempts
- Frequently gambling or thinking about gambling
- Wanting to stop gambling but feeling unable to
If any of these signs sound familiar, it might be time to reach out for support.