WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM?

It means experiencing a loss of control over your gambling.

For example:

• Spending more money than intended

• Playing for longer than planned

• Wanting to gamble when you know you should be doing other things
  Not being able to stop thinking about gambling

GAMBLING TO ESCAPE PROBLEMS, TO FEEL IMPORTANT OR TO FEEL ALIVE CAN BE WARNING SIGNS THAT YOUR GAMBLING IS GETTING OUT OF HAND.

HOW TO IDENTIFY A GAMBLING PROBLEM?
Being preoccupied with thoughts of gambling

Needing to continuously increase your bets in order to keep it interesting

Experiencing mood swings and feeling stressed out when trying to cut down on or stop gambling

Gambling to escape or forget problems

Gambling to win back money previously lost

Being secretive or lying about your gambling activities

Gambling with money that should be used for other things or purposes

Using borrowed or stolen money to gamble

Friends and family making comments about your gambling

GAMBLING PROBLEMS CAN BE SERIOUS AND MAY LEAD TO:

• Money problems

• Difficulty in school

• Trouble keeping a job

• Problems with parents

• Troubled friendships and relationships

• Lying, stealing and problems with the law

• Feeling depressed and anxious

• Feeling irritable when trying to stop

While most teens start gambling for fun, some end up with serious gambling problems.
Gambling can easily become an addictive pastime.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO GAMBLE, HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO PLAY RESPONSIBLY.

Set and maintain limits on:
-The amount of time you spend gambling
-How often you gamble
-The amount of money you bet

Bet only what you can afford to lose

IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE LOSING CONTROL OVER YOUR GAMBLING, ASK FOR HELP!