Family Risks
Problem gamblers spend more time gambling or thinking about gambling and it can become
extremely difficult to maintain a normal family life. This creates stress and has a negative
impact on relationships and family life.
- Families usually have more arguments over money and get hounded by debt collectors.
- Problem gamblers might miss family activities, including meals, birthdays, and other important events.
- "Casino kids" sometimes are left in cars at gambling venues while a parent bets.
- Increased arguments within the family.
- Compulsive gamblers more often provoke reactive violence in their spouses.
- Children of problem gamblers typically have lower grades, higher substance abuse rates, and more
frequent suicide attempts. - Children of problem gamblers could be more likely to develop gambling problems themselves.
- Problem gamblers are more likely to become separated or divorced.
Financial Risks
Problem gamblers’ finances will fluctuate from time to time as they experience periods when
they win regularly but also experience high levels of loss. Although a problem gambler may
occasionally experience “big wins” they should also expect to see an increase in financial
difficulties.
- Increasing debts.
- "Maxed out" credit cards.
- Overdue utility bills might result in cut-offs.
- Borrowing from family and friends.
- Pawning personal and family valuables.
- Passing bad cheques.
- Eviction and forced home sales.
- Bankruptcy. overdue utility bills which might result in cut-offs.
Problem gamblers are more likely to commit crimes to support their habits. This can include
tax evasion, cheque forgery, stealing credit cards, fraudulent loan applications, insurance
fraud, theft, embezzlement, fencing stolen goods, unlicensed bookmaking, arson, and even
armed robbery.
Health Risks
Most people may not see a connection between their gambling and their health, however
problem gambling is associated with a range of emotional, physical, and psychological health
problems.
- Self-esteem declines as losses increase.
- Problem gamblers suffer more from stress, anxiety, moodiness, attention deficit hyperactivity, obsessive-
compulsive disorders, and manic and clinical depression. - Some physical problems experienced by problem gamblers include muscular tension, fatigue, stomach
ailments, insomnia, colitis, high blood pressure, heart disease, migraines, and skin problems. - Problem gamblers are likely to use alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs to cope with the guilt or desperate
situation. - High proportions of problem gamblers seriously consider or even attempt suicide.
- Problem gamblers are more likely to smoke.
Job Risks
Problem gambling can also have an adverse effect on an individual’s ability to perform well at
work, college or school.
- Problem gamblers often show up late for work.
- Some problem gamblers skip entire work days to gamble.
- They are more likely to take sick leave.
- Problem Gamblers usually experience decreased productivity, as they often daydream about gambling or
use the Internet at work to gamble. - They are more likely to ask employers for pay advances, borrow money from fellow employees, steal from
work, and embezzle. - There is a real risk of losing your job due to your gambling behaviour due to high levels of sickness,
absenteeism and misuse of company time.
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