Guide
Signs of Problem Gambling: What to Watch For
Key Points
- Warning signs include chasing losses, secrecy and borrowing to play.
- Emotional signs include irritability, guilt and anxiety linked to play.
- Practical steps: limits, breaks and talking to someone you trust.
- For personal help, speak to a doctor or a trusted person.
- 18+ only
- Official partner site
- Checked 5 Nov 2026
- Bet with limits
Most people who gamble keep it as entertainment. For some, it slides into something that damages money, relationships and health. The slide is gradual, which is why early signs matter. This article lists common warning signs in plain language so that you can spot them in yourself or someone close to you. It is general information, not a diagnosis. If you recognise yourself here, the most useful step is to talk to a doctor or someone you trust.
Signs in behaviour
Playing for longer than planned, again and again. Returning the next day to win back losses. Hiding how much time or money you spend. Lying about where money went. Skipping work, study or family time to play. Deleting messages or history so no one sees.
A useful test is whether your behaviour would look different if a friend watched over your shoulder. If the answer is yes, ask yourself why.
- Playing longer or deeper than planned
- Chasing losses
- Hiding or lying about play
- Neglecting work, study or family
Signs with money
Using money meant for rent, food, school fees or bills. Borrowing from friends, relatives or lenders to gamble. Selling things to fund play. Making repeated deposits in one session after losing. Feeling that a big win is the only way out of a financial hole.
| Sign | What it looks like | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Using essential money | Bills unpaid after play | Harm outside the game |
| Borrowing | Loans from friends or lenders | Debt grows quickly |
| Repeated deposits | Several top-ups in a night | Loss of control |
| Needing a big win | Waiting for a jackpot to recover | Chasing |
Signs in feelings
Restlessness or irritability when trying to cut back. Guilt or shame after sessions. Anxiety about money. Feeling that gambling is the main way to relax or escape stress. Mood that rises and falls with results. Losing interest in things you once enjoyed.
These signs can show up in relationships too: arguments about money, secrecy, a partner or parent noticing changes before you do.
It is also worth noticing how you talk about gambling. If you often catch yourself saying you will stop tomorrow, or only after one more win, that language is itself a sign, because it shows the decision to stop is being postponed rather than made.
What you can do
Take a break. Set strict limits, using any deposit and session tools the brand site offers, and be honest about your budget. Remove saved payment details and logins from your phone. Tell someone you trust. Our responsible gaming page outlines general tools and advice, and our article on late-night play explains how tiredness makes control harder.
If you want to step away completely, ask the brand's support, through the official site, about the options for pausing or closing your account.
Small, concrete changes work better than big promises. Delete the app for a week, move the money to a savings pot you cannot access easily, or schedule something enjoyable at the times you normally play. Then review how it felt, honestly and without punishing yourself.
Supporting someone else
If you are worried about a family member or friend, choose a calm moment and speak without blame. Describe what you have noticed and ask how they are coping. Offer to help with practical steps, such as setting limits or spending time on other activities. Pushing or shaming usually backfires. A doctor can be a good first contact. Note that we do not list helpline numbers here, because we cannot verify them for every area; ask your doctor or local community services for support available where you live. See also our cricket tips page for sensible betting habits.
Three moves
Respond to warning signs in 3 steps
- 1Be honest
Write down how much time and money you spend and how you feel afterwards.
- 2Add barriers
Set limits, remove saved payment details and take a break from the app.
- 3Reach out
Talk to a doctor or someone you trust, and consider pausing your account.