Comparing the risks to the rewards

When does recreational gambling become a serious problem?

Photo by PTE John Wellfare

GAMBLING is a popular part of Australian culture and is a legitimate form of entertainment for many people. Individuals are able to bet on horse racing, greyhound racing and other sporting events.

People can purchase Lotto and raffle tickets, play electronic gaming machines or the multitude of games at casinos.

Who gambles and why?
Recreational gamblers comprise the vast majority of the community. These are people who gamble as a form of entertainment or to add excitement to their social outing. A small percentage of people are at risk of becoming problem gamblers.

What is problem gambling?
Problem gamblers usually begin as recreational gamblers whose gambling increases. This may occur to try to win back losses, to avoid responsibilities, to forget about life problems or for other reasons.
Problem gambling is a term used to describe gambling behaviour that negatively impacts on other areas of a person’s life. These other areas may include an impact on work performance, social and sporting activities and family relationships. It can also cause some people to engage in illegal activities to either reduce financial losses or obtain further funds to gamble.

Signs of problem gambling
A person may have a gambling problem if they experience any one or more of the following:

• frequent thoughts about gambling (including opportunities and strategies);
  
• gambling with increased amounts to achieve the desired level of excitement;
  
• unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop gambling;
  
• gambling as a way to escape problems;
  
• chasing losses;
  
• lying to conceal the extent of gambling;
  
• committing illegal acts to finance gambling;
  
• jeopardising or losing a relationship, job or career opportunity; and
  
• borrowing money to finance gambling.
  

• address the underlying issues that led to the problem;
  
• alter beliefs about the likelihood of winning;
  
• take only a fixed amount of money to gamble and leave ATM cards at home;
  
• identify activities to do instead of gambling;
  
• talk to someone about the problem;
  
• enter into a venue self-exclusion program; and
  
• gain a better understanding of the rates of return for different types of gambling.
  
• Information for this article was based on Defence’s Gambling fact sheet.

.