These questions are provided to help you to decide if you are a compulsive gambler and want to stop gambling:

  • Have others ever criticized your gambling?
  • Have you ever lied to cover up the amount of money or time you have gambled?
  • Do arguments, frustrations or disappointments make you want to gamble?
  • Do you gamble alone for long periods?
  • Do you stay away from work, college or school to gamble?
  • Do you gamble to escape from a boring or unhappy life?
  • Are you reluctant to spend ‘gambling money’ on anything else?
  • Have you lost interest in your family, friends or pastimes due to gambling?
  • After losing, do you feel you must try and win back your losses as soon as possible?
  • When gambling and you run out of money, do you feel lost and in despair, and need to gamble again as soon as possible?
  • Do you gamble until your last penny is gone?
  • Have you lied, stolen or borrowed just to get money to gamble or to pay gambling debts?
  • Do you feel depressed or even suicidal because of your gambling?

People with a compulsive gambling problem are likely to answer YES to some of these questions. There are many organisations that can provide you with support and assistance in case you develop a problem with gambling, and we recommend that players contact a self-help organisation for additional help. The following websites offer advice and guidance: