Common Signs of Problem Gambling

• Increasing the frequency of gambling activity.
• Increasing the amount of money gambled.
• Spending an excessive amount of time gambling at the expense of job or family time.
• Being preoccupied with gambling or with obtaining money with which to gamble.
• Gambling creates a special and intense pleasure, an aroused sense of being in "action."
• Continuing to gamble despite negative consequences such as large losses, financial problems, absence from work, or family problems caused by gambling.
• Gambling as a means to cope with loneliness, anger, stress, depression, etc.
• "Chasing" - the urgent need to keep gambling--often with larger bets--or the taking of greater risks in order to make up for a loss or series of losses.
• Borrowing money to gamble, taking out secret loans, cashing in or borrowing on life insurance policies, or maximizing credit cards.
• Bragging about wins but not talking about losses.
• Frequent mood swings, higher when winning, lower when losing.
• Gambling for longer periods of time or more money than originally planned.
• Secretive behavior such as hiding lottery tickets and betting slips, having mail, bills, etc., sent to work, a P.O. Box, or other address.