Compulsive gamblers usually answer “yes” to at least seven of the following questions:
- Do you lose time from work due to gambling?
- Does gambling make your home life unhappy?
- Does gambling affect your reputation?
- Do you ever feel remorse after gambling?
- Have you ever gambled to get money to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
- Does gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
- After losing, do you feel you must return as soon as possible to win back your losses?
- After a win, do you have a strong urge to return and win more?
- Do you often gamble until your last dollar is gone?
- Have you ever borrowed to finance your gambling?
- Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
- Are you reluctant to use “gambling money” for normal expenditures?
- Does gambling make you careless about your or or your family's welfare?
- Have you ever gambled longer than expected?
- Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
- Have you ever committed, or consider committing, an illegal act to finance your gambling?
- Does gambling cause you to have difficulty sleeping?
- Do arguments, disappointments, or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
- Do you have an urge to celebrate good fortune with a few hours of gambling?
- Do you ever consider self-destruction as a result of your gambling?
If you answered “yes” to 7 or more of these questions, you could have gambling issues.
Remember you are not alone; there are several organizations that can help you.
For more information, you can visit the site http://www.responsiblegambling.org
Gambling Support Organizations
If you feel you might have a gambling problem, you can contact one of the following organizations:
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Gambling Therapy
- Families Support
- Responsible Gaming Foundation
- Institut du Jeu Excessif
