A gambling addiction may see you continually chasing bets and losses, depleting savings, accumulating debt and becoming increasingly secretive with your betting behaviours or, at the extreme resorting to theft or fraud, all behaviours that have the potential to destroy lives.

The causes of compulsive gambling are unclear but risk factors include; having a mental health condition, being younger or middle aged, being male, taking medications used to treat restless legs syndrome or Parkinson’s disease, having a family history or friends with a gambling problem, or having competitive, impulsive and restless personality characteristics.

While there does not appear to be a way to prevent gambling addiction they can be successfully treated just like other addictions, and support is readily available.

Support services

• Drug Alcohol and Gambling Support Services for Adults
• BeGambleAware
• Gambling Self Assessment
• GamCare - a range of information and advice for those experiencing or affected by a gambling problem