Common warning signs
- Spending more money or time than you planned.
- Chasing losses: playing again to win back what you lost.
- Borrowing money, using credit or selling things to gamble.
- Using money meant for rent, bills or food.
- Hiding gambling or lying about it to people close to you.
- Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down.
- Gambling to escape stress, worry or low mood.
A quick self-check
Think about the last three months. Have you bet more than you could afford to lose? Have you needed larger amounts to get the same excitement? Have you gone back another day to win back losses? Has gambling caused money problems or arguments? If you answer yes to any of these, it is worth talking to a support line. A conversation is confidential and does not commit you to anything.
What to do next
- Talk to a helpline – listed on this page.
- Take a break now: set a time-out or self-exclude.
- Install blocking software and block gambling payments at your bank.
- Tell someone you trust and ask them to help you stick to your plan.
A short plan for the next week
Take a pause
Use a time-out or self-exclusion so that the decision does not have to be made again every evening.
Tell one person
Talking to someone you trust makes it easier to keep to the plan.
Contact a helpline
Our page on where to get help lists confidential services in each Nordic country and the UK.
If you are worried about someone else
Signs can include unexplained money problems, secrecy around phones and accounts, and mood swings. Helplines also support family members and friends, and you can contact them without the player knowing.
Questions and answers
Is a gambling problem only about losing a lot of money?
No. It is about the harm gambling causes – to money, relationships, work or health – not about a specific amount.
Can family members get help too?
Yes. Helplines such as the National Gambling Helpline in the UK and Gambling Therapy online support relatives and friends.
Do I need a diagnosis to get help?
No. You can contact a helpline or a doctor as soon as you are worried.