Signs of Gambling Harm For Whānau

• Frequently thinks and talks about gambling
• Increases the time they spend gambling or has a pattern of gambling for longer than intended
• Expresses a strong desire or craving to gamble
• Complains of boredom or is restless when they are not gambling
• Gambles rather than doing things they previously enjoyed
• Continues to gamble despite promising to stop
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, cut back or stop gambling
• Gambles to escape problems
• Celebrates their wins by gambling more
• Demonstrates a pattern of returning to gambling in order to recover losses
• Is evasive about gambling losses
• Lies to cover up or fund gambling activities
• Commits illegal acts to fund gambling, e.g. embezzlement, fraud
• Experiences legal problems related to gambling
• Becomes defensive or angry when asked about their gambling
• Blames others for their gambling or its consequences

After gambling, expresses:

• Remorse
• Guilt
• Depressed feelings
• Hopelessness
• Fear of others finding out
• Worry over where they will get money to cover living expenses
• Anger towards themselves, or family and friends.
• Does not look after their health as a result of their gambling activities, e.g. does not take medication or eat a healthy diet

• Does not want to spend money on anything but gambling
• Increases their usage of or acquires additional credit cards
• Complains about mounting debts
• Takes on extra jobs or works for overtime pay, but has no money to show for it
• Makes promises to pay back family and friends but never does so
• Consistently late in paying bills or misses payments entirely
• Frequently contacted by debt collectors
• Owes money to a loan shark
• Believes that gambling will solve financial difficulties or bring material wealth
• Experiences financial hardship as a result of gambling
• Valuables disappear (and may reappear) without explanation
• Hides financial statements or is secretive about money
• Unexplained missing amounts of money from the house or bank accounts
• Pattern of unexplained loss of money
• Borrows money to gamble or to pay gambling debts
• Over time, increases the amount of money spent on gambling.

• Social life or relationships have been negatively affected as a result of gambling
• Becomes isolated from others because of gambling
• Disappears from social events where gambling is also available, in order to gamble
• Unable to be emotionally present or involved in social situations because they are pre-occupied with gambling
• Has conflicts with others about money
• Is criticised by others for their gambling.

• Neglects the basic care of their children, or breaks promises to their children about buying them things or spending time with them due to gambling activities
• Steals from family or friends to fund Gambling

Whānau/Family members:

• Find evidence of regular gambling, e.g. gambling receipts, Internet browser history, bank statements
• Hide money from the person in order to cover living expenses
• Believe they can’t trust the person with money
• Are frequently contacted by debt collectors
• Experience negative emotions as a result of the person’s gambling, e.g. sadness, anxiety, stress, anger
• Threaten to leave or break up the family due to the person’s gambling
• Experience financial hardship as a result of the person’s gambling.