Problem Gambling refers to a situation where:
- The safety and well being of gambling customers and/or their families and friends is placed at risk; and
- Negative impacts extend to the community
Problem Gambling occurs when gambling behaviour causes disruption in any or all major areas of life: psychological, physical, social, emotional, financial or vocational.
Problem gambling can affect anyone, and quite often a gambler will not realise that they have lost control of their gambling. It is much harder than other problem behaviours to recognise.
The Three Phases of Problem Gambling
There are many pathways to problem gambling and each problem gambler may have a different experience. Whether gambling is to escape or for financial betterment, one pathway supported by research suggests that there are three distinct phases* to problem gambling:
- The winning phase: Gamblers experience a big win, or a series of wins that leave them believing, unrealistically, that their winning will continue. This leads to feelings of great excitement when gambling and may lead to increases in the amount of their bets.
- The losing phase: Gamblers are more likely to gamble alone, think more about gambling and borrow money to gamble. They may start lying to family and friends and become irritable, restless and withdrawn. The gamblers begin to chase their losses, believing that they will be able to win back their losses.
- The desperation phase: During this final phase there is a marked increase in the time spent gambling, often accompanied by remorse, blaming others and alienating family and friends. They may experience hopelessness, mental health issues, relationship issues and substance abuse issues.
The causes of problem gambling are not known for certain. However, it is very difficult to overcome problem gambling on your own. If you or someone you care about displays the signs and symptoms of problem gambling, Burswood Entertainment Complex is able to link you with several sources of help that are readily available.
Find out whether you should be concerned about your gambling.
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