Gambling

High-Risk Gambling Behaviours

Cognitive and Emotional Indicators

• Chasing losses – continuing to gamble to recover previous losses
• Preoccupation with gambling – constantly thinking or talking about gambling
• Gambling as emotional escape – using gambling to relieve stress, depression, or anxiety
• Irrational beliefs – false confidence in “systems”, “lucky streaks”, or ability to win
• Difficulty stopping or cutting down – repeated unsuccessful attempts to control gambling
• Guilt, shame, or secrecy – hiding gambling behaviour from family/friends

 Financial Risk Indicators

• Betting increasing amounts to feel excitement (“tolerance”)
• Borrowing money to gamble – including loans, credit cards, payday lenders
• Using essential funds – gambling with money meant for rent, bills, or groceries
• Selling personal items to fund gambling
• Multiple or maxed-out credit accounts
• Repeated bailouts from friends/family

Time-Related Risks

• Excessive time spent gambling – long sessions, especially late night or during work hours
• Neglecting responsibilities – skipping work, school, childcare, or household tasks
• Loss of interest in other activities previously enjoyed (e.g. hobbies, socialising)

 Behavioural Red Flags

• Frequenting multiple venues or online platforms
• Gambling alone or in secrecy
• Frequent use of ATMs at gambling venues
• Lying about gambling frequency or amount spent
• Irritability or restlessness when unable to gamble (withdrawal-like symptoms)

 Co-Occurring Risk Factors

• Co-existing mental illness – depression, anxiety, substance use disorders
• Family history of gambling problems
• Social isolation or loneliness
• Exposure to high-risk environments – proximity to gambling venues, unregulated online access
• Trauma or adverse childhood experiences

Key Red Flags for Harm

• Relationship conflict or breakdown due to gambling
• Legal problems (e.g. fraud, theft)
• Suicidal ideation or attempts
• Comorbid alcohol or drug misuse
• Dependents (children) impacted by gambling-related financial stress

5 A’s Approach to Gambling

1. ASK – Identify Gambling Behaviour

• Ask sensitively and non-judgmentally, especially if:
  • Financial stress, mood symptoms, relationship breakdown
  • Unexplained borrowing, debts, or changes in functioning
  • Co-occurring substance use or mental illness

 Suggested Screening Questions:

• “Have you ever felt worried about how much time or money you spend gambling?”
• “Has gambling ever caused issues at work, home, or in relationships?”
• “Do you ever gamble more than you intended or chase losses?”

 Screening Tools:

• Lie/Bet Questionnaire (2 questions)
• Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)
• Gambling Helpline Self-Assessment

2. ASSESS – Evaluate Risk, Harms, and Motivation

• Assess severity:
  • Frequency and type of gambling (pokies, online betting, casinos)
  • Time and money spent
  • Attempts to stop, chase losses
• Assess impacts:
  • Financial: debt, bankruptcy, loans
  • Psychosocial: conflict, guilt, family breakdown
  • Mental health: anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation
  • Substance use: co-occurrence common
• Assess readiness to change:
  • “Do you want to reduce or stop gambling?”
  • Use readiness ruler (1–10 scale)

3. ADVISE – Provide Brief, Personalised Advice

• Use non-confrontational, empathic tone:
  • “It sounds like gambling is starting to have a negative impact on your life.”
  • “There are effective ways to get support and take back control.”
• Discuss the link between mental health, stress, and gambling.
• Emphasise confidentiality and support availability.

4. ASSIST – Support Behaviour Change

 Psychological Support

• Refer to Gambling Help Services:
  • Gambling Help Online (24/7): www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
  • Financial Counselling Australia
  • Gambler’s Anonymous (GA)
• Therapeutic approaches:
  • CBT: identify triggers, correct distorted beliefs (“I’ll win it back”)
  • Motivational Interviewing to enhance commitment
  • Financial counselling or social worker referral

Practical Strategies:

• Self-exclusion from gambling venues/apps
• Gambling-blocking software (e.g. Gamban, BetBlocker)
• Setting time and spending limits
• Enlist family support
• Identify triggers and coping mechanisms (stress, loneliness)

5. ARRANGE – Follow-Up and Relapse Prevention

• Regular follow-up appointments:
  • Review coping strategies and urges
  • Support mental health and comorbidities
• Monitor progress using diaries or apps (e.g. My Gambling Diary)
• Document:
  • Triggers and risk periods
  • Coping strategies
  • Referrals made (psychologist, AOD, financial counsellin
• Relapse planning:
  • Identify high-risk scenarios (paydays, stress)
  • Plan alternative behaviours (exercise, calling a support person)
• Coordinate care with psychologist, financial counsellor, or addiction specialist if needed.

Relapse Prevention Strategies

• High-Risk Situations to Plan For:
  • Paydays, stress, alcohol use, loneliness, boredom, sports events
• Skills to Reinforce:
  • Delay tactics (urge surfing)
  • Self-exclusion renewal
  • Gambling diaries or spending logs
  • Blocking access to money or gambling platforms
• Involve support network:
  • Family or trusted others to help monitor or safeguard finances
• Normalise relapse as part of recovery:
  • “Let’s talk about what led to the lapse and what we can do differently next time.”