Gambling requires you to spend time, money and energy.  Gambling becomes a problem when these are spent at the expense of personal relationships, employment, study and other financial commitments.

A person may have a gambling problem if they are:

• Spending more time or money than they intended to

• Arguing after gambling with family or friends

• After losing, having an urge to return as soon as possible to win back losses

• Feeling guiltily or remorseful about gambling

• Borrowing money or selling assets to gamble

• Missing work in order to gamble

• Hiding the extent of gambling

A person can become a problem gambler whether he or she is gambling on bingo or casino games, sports, the lottery, horse racing, dog racing, card games or the pokies.

People can develop a gambling problem due to life circumstances such as:

• Boredom

• Loneliness

• Depression

• Childhood abuse

• Divorce

• Relationship problems

• Unemployment

If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talking to someone at Gambling Help is a good place to start.

For more information on responsible gambling or any other topic related to gambling, please contact Gambling Help Moreton Bay Region.