Gambling Problem Signs

Gambling disorder is progressively addictive behavior that causes disruptions to any area of life: psychological, physical, vocational, or social. A person with gambling disorder, also known as problem gambling, has an increasing preoccupation with gambling. This can lead to adverse consequences for the individual, others, and their community.

Signs of a Gambling Disorder:

A person shows signs of gambling disorder if they:

• • Need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement
  • Exhibit restless or irritable behavior when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
  • Are often preoccupied with thoughts about gambling
  • Often gamble when feeling distress
  • Chase one’s losses/returns another day to get even
  • Lie to conceal the extent of gambling
  • Jeopardize a significant relationship, job or opportunity because of gambling
  • Spend more time than usual on their phone or computer
  • Rely on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling

Disordered gambling rate:

Research estimates that approximately 2% (83,200-135,100) of the Massachusetts adult population has a gambling disorder.

At-risk gambling rate:

Research estimates that approximately 8.4% (389,700-488,500) of Massachusetts adults are at-risk gamblers, demonstrating gambling behaviors that put them at risk of developing a gambling disorder.