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Recognizing Signs of Gambling Addiction

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Recognizing Signs of Gambling Addiction

If you're concerned about your gambling habits, it's important to recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship with gambling and seek support when needed.

Do I Have an Unhealthy Relationship with Gambling?

One way to better understand your relationship with gambling is through GamCare's Self-Assessment Tool. This online assessment asks a series of questions about your gambling behaviour and provides personalized feedback to help you understand how gambling may be affecting your life.

Take the self-assessment here.

Common Signs

An unhealthy relationship with gambling may develop gradually and can affect different areas of your life. Some warning signs include:

  • Gambling becoming a frequent or daily activity that is difficult to limit.
  • Feeling frustrated, restless, or upset when unable to place bets.
  • Using borrowed funds or credit to continue gambling.
  • Struggling to stick to personal limits or repeatedly trying to cut back without success.
  • Spending increasing amounts of time gambling at the expense of personal, family, or work commitments.
  • Experiencing financial pressure linked to gambling activity.
  • Constantly thinking about upcoming sporting events, betting opportunities, or gambling strategies.
  • Losing interest in hobbies, social activities, or spending time with others.
  • Dismissing concerns raised by friends, family members, or colleagues.
  • Noticing a decline in performance at work, school, or other responsibilities.

Emotional Indicators

  • Changes in mood and behaviour can also indicate that gambling is becoming problematic. These may include:
  • Feeling stressed, impatient, or uneasy when unable to gamble.
  • Experiencing a strong emotional boost after a win and seeking to recreate that feeling.
  • Becoming overly confident in betting decisions after positive results.
  • Allowing gambling outcomes to significantly affect mood or self-esteem.
  • Using gambling as a way to escape everyday pressures or difficult emotions.

What Can I Do If I Recognize These Signs?

Recognizing these behaviours is an important first step. If any of these signs sound familiar, consider taking action early:

  • Complete a gambling self-assessment to better understand your habits.
  • Set deposit, loss, or session limits on your account.
  • Take a temporary break from gambling.
  • Consider self-exclusion if you need a longer period away from betting.
  • Speak with someone you trust about your concerns.
  • Seek support from responsible gambling organizations and professional support services.

Taking action early can help you maintain a healthy and balanced approach to gambling.

Support and Resources

The following resources are available for you 24/7: 

National (Available Across Canada)

Ontario

  • ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600) – Free and confidential information and support for gambling-related concerns, available 24 hours a day.
  • BetGuard (1-833-776-7171)– Access responsible gambling tools, educational resources, and support to help you stay in control of your play.
  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) – Provides treatment, counselling, and support services for individuals experiencing gambling-related harm.

Alberta

  • Alberta Health Services Addiction & Mental Health Helpline (811 or 1-866-332-2322) – Free, confidential 24/7 support, information, and referrals for gambling, addiction, and mental health concerns.
  • GameSense Alberta (1-833-447-7523) – Alberta's responsible gambling program, for information, tools, and support.
  • Alberta Self-Exclusion Program  – Allows eligible players to voluntarily self-exclude from participating regulated gambling operators in Alberta.