Gambling Addiction: Signs, Symptoms & How to Get Help

Gambling addiction often develops gradually, making it difficult to recognize until the consequences are hard to ignore. This guide covers warning signs, clinical diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and resources for recovery.

In This Article:

• Myths and Facts about Gambling Addictions
• Online Gambling and Sports Betting
• Gambling Addiction Signs and Symptoms
• How Is Gambling Disorder Diagnosed?
• Self Help and Support Groups for Gambling Problems
• Strategies to Deal with Gambling Cravings
• How Is Gambling Disorder Treated?
• How Do I Know if Someone Has a Gambling Addiction?
• Where Can I Find Information About Gambling Addiction Treatment?
• What Are the Treatment Options for Compulsive Gambling?

What is Gambling Addiction?

Gambling disorder, formerly known as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling, gambling addiction, and problem gambling, is an addictive disorder recognized by the American Psychiatry Association as the first behavioral addiction not related to a substance like drugs or alcohol.

By gambling we mean putting something of value at risk (typically money) and hoping to win a reward of more value.

Many adults gamble. In fact, studies show that 70% of Americans do so in any given year¹. Yet a minority of them have a gambling disorder. The issue affects around 1.2% of the world’s population². Why is gambling so problematic? Isn’t it just a way to have fun?

Problematic gambling entails more than losing money. It opens the door for multiple negative consequences. This can include domestic violence and broken relationships that transmit across generations. Those affected may also experience financial distress and severe mental health challenges.

A person with a gambling disorder is 15 times more likely to die from suicide than the general population³.

The various ways people can gamble today are abundant. More than 80% of countries worldwide have a form of legalized gambling⁴. Electronic gambling machines, lotteries, online poker and sports betting provide individuals with ample opportunities to try their luck.

Myths and Facts about Gambling Addictions

Myth: People who gamble are immoral.

The media portrays gamblers as irresponsible individuals with questionable morals. However, this depiction is false.

Gambling addiction and problem gambling are characterized by higher levels of impulsivity. This is a characteristic that’s also present in alcoholism which may cause individuals to engage in risky behaviors with little thought about negative consequences. This may explain why they continue gambling despite bad outcomes.

Myth: Gambling is not a real addiction.

The evidence shows that gambling is the first non-chemical addiction acknowledged by the American Psychiatric Association because the effects it has on a person’s well being resemble the negative impacts of drugs and alcohol⁵.

Myth: Unless you play every day you don’t have a gambling disorder.

The central criteria for a gambling disorder diagnosis is not how many times a week a person gambles; it’s how damaging the consequences are for their personal lives, mental health and relationships.

Myth: Gamblers are just bad at managing money.

The financial impacts of gambling are the result of the compulsion and not the cause. Chronic gambling may affect the brain by generating a compulsion for constantly gambling. This could potentially shift how a person experiences rewards and punishment and increase the risk of addictive behavior in which a person may find it almost impossible to stop gambling.

Myth: Problem gamblers’ relationships always end due to money problems.

Financial difficulties can strain a relationship. Yet partners of problem gamblers indicate that the constant lying and resulting lack of trust is the principal reason for breaking up.

Myth: Gamblers are caused by poor parenting.

Disordered gambling brings a lot of shame to families so blaming the parents of problem gamblers is a common way to explain why things happen. Yet it’s not fair nor accurate as problem gamblers’ behavior is influenced by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors..

Myth: As long as you still have money, gambling is not an issue.

A gambling disorder diagnosis does not depend on how much money you have left. Instead it depends on how it affects your capacity to live a productive life and maintain healthy relationships and its impact on your mental health.

Myth: If you love a gambler then you will pay their debts.

Paying off a loved one’s debts is not recommended because it may enable the continuation of the same gambling pattern.

Myth: If a gambler keeps playing, their luck will change, and they will win back their lost money.

Betting outcomes are independent of each other. Flipping heads 10 times in a row doesn’t make tails any more likely on the eleventh flip of a coin toss. The gambler’s fallacy which is believing that bad luck cannot last forever is a flawed belief that costs gamblers a lot of money and pain.

Myth: Gambling is a valid way to make extra money.

Gambling in general is a way to lose money. Researchers estimate that by 2028 gambling net losses will reach $700 billion⁴. The entire business structure of casinos and online betting platforms depends on one principle: gamblers lose most of the time.

Online Gambling and Sports Betting

The rapid expansion of online gambling and legalized sports betting has changed the risk landscape for gambling disorder. Mobile betting apps, online casinos, and in-game microtransactions remove many of the natural barriers (travel, opening hours, and social visibility) that once limited how often and how quickly a person could gamble.

Online gambling platforms are designed to encourage continuous play. Features like autoplay, instant deposits, push notification promotions, and in-play betting during live sports create a fast-paced experience that research associates with higher rates of problematic gambling. A 2024 systematic review in The Lancet Public Health found that online gambling, electronic gambling machines, and poker carry the highest odds of gambling-related problems compared to other gambling formats⁴.

Sports betting, in particular, has expanded dramatically since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban in 2018. By 2026, legal sports betting is available in the majority of U.S. states, and advertising for betting apps is pervasive during sporting events. The normalization of betting through partnerships between sportsbooks and professional sports leagues can make it harder for people to recognize when recreational wagering has crossed into problematic territory.

If you gamble online, several practical steps can reduce risk:

• Use deposit limits and cooling-off features offered by most regulated platforms
• Avoid gambling on credit or with money allocated for essential expenses
• Be aware that “free bet” promotions are a marketing strategy, not free money
• Register for self-exclusion programs, which are available in most states with legal online gambling

If online gambling is causing financial, relational, or emotional harm, the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700) offers confidential support around the clock.

Gambling Addiction Signs and Symptoms

Here are the signs and symptoms of a possible gambling addiction. Remember that a qualified professional must establish a gambling disorder diagnosis.

• Using gambling as a means to evade or escape negative emotions or problematic life situations
• Constantly thinking about past gambling experiences or future gambling opportunities
• Continuing to gamble despite wanting to stop
• Growing irritable or restless after spending time without gambling
• Lying to loved ones or employers about the severity of their gambling problem.
• Chasing losses by continuing to gamble to recover what they lost
• Letting gambling obstruct opportunities to connect with others, get a promotion or succeed at school
• Getting financial help from loved ones to solve monetary problems caused by gambling.
• Needing to spend more and more money to feel the rush that gambling used to elicit

How Is Gambling Disorder Diagnosed?

Gambling disorder is a recognized mental health condition in the DSM-5-TR, classified alongside substance use disorders due to similar effects on the brain’s reward system. A diagnosis requires at least four of nine specific criteria to be present over a 12-month period.

Only a qualified mental health professional can make this determination. Self-assessment tools can be a helpful starting point, but they are not a substitute for a clinical evaluation.

The nine DSM-5-TR criteria for gambling disorder are:

1. A need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement
2. Restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
3. Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
4. Frequent preoccupation with gambling, including reliving past experiences, planning future sessions, or thinking about ways to get money for gambling
5. Often gambling when feeling distressed, such as when helpless, guilty, anxious, or depressed
6. After losing money gambling, often returning another day to try to win it back (known as “chasing losses”)
7. Lying to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling
8. Jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling
9. Relying on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling

The DSM-5-TR also classifies severity based on how many criteria are met: four to five indicates a mild disorder, six to seven is moderate, and eight to nine is severe. A person may also be classified as being in early remission (no criteria met for 3–12 months) or sustained remission (no criteria met for 12 months or more).

If you recognize several of these patterns in yourself or someone close to you, consider reaching out to a licensed behavioral health provider for an evaluation.

Self Help and Support Groups for Gambling Problems

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is a 12-step fellowship modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. Meetings are available in person and online, and participation is free. GA uses a peer support model where members share their experiences, work through the 12 steps, and often connect with a sponsor for accountability between meetings. Learn more about Gamblers Anonymous.

SMART Recovery offers a non-12-step, science-based alternative. SMART groups focus on cognitive and behavioral tools for managing urges, building motivation, and developing coping skills. Meetings are available both in person and online. Learn more about SMART Recovery.

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) operates the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700, available 24/7 by phone, text, and online chat. This is a confidential resource for anyone affected by gambling — whether they are gambling themselves or concerned about someone else.

Gam-Anon provides support specifically for the family members and loved ones of people with gambling problems, similar to how Al-Anon serves the families of people with alcohol use disorder.

In addition to these groups, the following self-help strategies can support your recovery:

• Use a validated screening tool (such as the NCPG’s brief self-check) to help gauge whether your gambling patterns may be problematic
• If you are also dealing with substance use or mental health challenges, avoid trying to address everything alone — these conditions can amplify gambling urges
• Limit your access to cash and credit when in situations where you might gamble
• Set firm spending limits before any gambling session, and stick to them
• Evaluate whether your social circle encourages or enables gambling behavior

Strategies to Deal with Gambling Cravings

• Ask yourself why you want to gamble. Are you experiencing a situation you want to escape from? Are you just looking for fun? Understanding the underlying reasons for your desire to gamble can bring clarity and may prevent impulsive behaviors.
• Talk about your gambling issues with someone you trust. An open communication channel is always a good strategy to avoid keeping all the emotions you are experiencing to yourself.
• Plan how you will spend your time now that you’re not gambling. Rekindle past hobbies, participate in healthy social gatherings in your community and keep yourself busy in activities that promote your well being like sports.
• Some casinos offer the possibility of excluding yourself from them so ask establishments close to you if this is an option in case you consider it helpful for your circumstances.

Don’t rely exclusively on willpower to control your cravings. Avoid temptations like socializing in casinos, carrying large amounts of cash or spending leisure time with friends who are also struggling with problematic gambling.

How Is Gambling Disorder Treated?

Gambling disorder is treated primarily through psychotherapy, and in some cases, medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most widely studied approach, helping people identify distorted thinking patterns, such as the belief that a streak of losses makes a win more likely, and replace them with more realistic responses. No medication currently has FDA approval specifically for gambling disorder, but some opioid antagonists like naltrexone have shown benefit in clinical trials by reducing cravings and the urge to gamble.

Treatment settings for gambling disorder range from outpatient therapy to residential programs, depending on the severity of the condition and whether other issues are present. Outpatient programs allow a person to continue working and living at home while attending regular therapy sessions. For people with more severe gambling patterns or co-occurring substance use, an inpatient or residential program may offer the structure and supervision needed for early stabilization.

Several therapeutic approaches have evidence supporting their use for gambling disorder:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps a person recognize and challenge irrational beliefs about gambling, such as superstitions about lucky rituals or the idea that past losses predict future wins. CBT also builds practical skills for handling triggers and high-risk situations.
• Motivational interviewing (MI) works with a person’s own reasons for wanting to change, rather than pressuring them into treatment. This approach can be especially useful for people who are ambivalent about giving up gambling.
• Group therapy and peer support, including programs like Gamblers Anonymous, provide ongoing accountability, shared experience, and structure that many people find essential for sustained recovery.
• Family and couples counseling addresses the relational damage that gambling often causes, including broken trust, financial strain, and communication breakdowns.

Some providers may also use naltrexone off-label to help reduce gambling urges, particularly when cravings are intense. Research published in peer-reviewed journals suggests that opioid antagonists can be effective because gambling activates the brain’s reward pathways in ways that overlap with substance use disorders.

If you or someone you care about is considering treatment, a good first step is talking with a primary care provider or mental health professional who can help assess the situation and recommend an appropriate level of care. Treatment can also address co-occurring conditions like depression or anxiety that often accompany gambling disorder.

How Do I Know if Someone Has a Gambling Addiction?

If you worry someone close to you might be struggling with disordered gambling then there are psychological and behavioral changes that people with a gambling disorder may show. Here are some of them.

• Is gambling taking precedence over their responsibilities?
• Have they lost interest in things they used to be passionate about like hobbies? When individuals prioritize gambling over what they used to care about then it may be a sign of trouble.
• Do they keep gambling despite losing a job, having troubles at home or other negative consequences associated with gambling? These behaviors may suggest a potential gambling disorder.
• Are they diverting money from things like groceries, mortgage payments or other essential spending for gambling?
• Do they seem anxious, irritable or restless when not gambling? Distressing mental health states may insinuate a compulsion for gambling.
• Are they lying about their gambling? Do they borrow money deceitfully to cover their losses and try to disguise the extent of their problem?

Remember that it’s not always possible to identify if a friend or loved one is having problems with gambling. Many individuals hide the extent of the issue even from their spouses until it becomes too big to hide.

Where Can I Find Information About Gambling Addiction Treatment?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) provides a round the clock National Helpline at 1.800.662.4357 that you can call to access mental health support and addiction treatment resources. They may also have information on gambling addiction treatment.

Rehab.com is a leading resource hub for finding rehabilitation centers in the US. Rehab.com provides education about every facet of behavioral addictions like gambling. The database of facilities will help you find the best alternative that adapts to your beliefs, circumstances and insurance so you can start a new life free from the hold of gambling. You can use the online directory of top-rated addiction treatment centers tool to search for a center near you.

The National Council on Problem Gambling provides recovery resources through a direct gambling addiction hotline at 1.800.GAMBLER, via text at 800GAM or by chat. They offer recovery alternatives in your area.

Gamblers Anonymous lists addiction gambling treatment alternatives on its website and offers helplines in every state you can call to find local support groups.

You can also ask your pharmacist, doctor or other trusted healthcare professional questions about where to find in your community the help you need to access gambling recovery support.

What Are the Treatment Options for Compulsive Gambling?

Many individuals fear being labeled as a “problem gambler” due to the social baggage gambling carries which discourages them from getting the support they need. Don’t let that be you.

Seeking help for a gambling disorder could be the best decision you ever make.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment provides individuals struggling with problematic gambling with a residential program that helps them work on their recovery full time.

Distancing yourself from familiar faces and places you associate with gambling can work wonders to begin a new chapter in your life.

Inpatient programs provide structure. You will meet others fighting the same battle as you, access clinically validated group and individual counseling and work on the triggers that influence your gambling while understanding the underlying reason for it.

Problematic gambling rarely occurs in isolation. Research reveals that 96% of individuals with a gambling disorder also have psychiatric conditions and 22% to 64% of them may be battling a concurrent substance disorder. In residential facilities you will work on your mental health and learn coping skills to create genuine change that lasts.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient rehab programs alternatives help individuals with gambling disorders access help in a way that’s more flexible and adaptable to their circumstances. This enables them to continue working and living at home while receiving treatment.

Outpatient modalities offer several protocols like cognitive behavioral therapy and recovery education. Treatment protocols are designed to align with each person’s needs and life situation.

You’ll develop coping skills, meet individuals committed to a gambling free life and uncover the tools and internal strength to start over again. Gambling addiction therapy can help you work through the issues that are driving you to gamble so you can overcome them and find long-term recovery.

If you have a co-occurring mental health condition such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or depression then some FDA-approved medications including antidepressant medications may be helpful.

Aftercare

A life without gambling is built one day at a time. After completing a recovery treatment program the journey ahead requires careful planning.

Rehab aftercare programs are a recovery modality that considers a person’s unique circumstances, challenges and potential triggers to design a healing roadmap.

The value of this approach is that it tailors an individual program to help a person keep connected to gambling-free communities, access therapy and continue developing lifelong coping skills so they can thrive after the gambling stops.

A gambling disorder can happen to anyone. If gambling is preventing you from being the best version of yourself then judgment-free support is available. Don’t bet on your future. Seek gambling addiction help today.

Resources

1. Nevada Council on Problem Gambling. Gambling disorder [Disease Primer]. Published 2024. Accessed March 2026. https://www.nevadacouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Gambling-Disorder-Potenza-Disease-Primer.pdf
2. World Health Organization. Gambling [Fact sheet]. Published December 2024. Accessed March 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/gambling
3. Moghaddam JN, et al. Suicidality and gambling disorder. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2019;32(1):48-53. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6376387/
4. Calado F, Alexandre J, Griffiths MD. The prevalence of gambling and problematic gambling: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health. 2024;9(11). https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00167-1/fulltext
5. American Psychiatric Association. Gambling disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision. American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-21457-002