Signs of problem gambling
The clearest signs of problem gambling are betting more than you can afford to lose, chasing losses, needing bigger stakes for the same buzz, borrowing to gamble and feeling guilty or anxious about it. The NHS turns these into nine self-check questions with a simple score. This guide, checked 20 October 2026, goes through each warning sign, what it looks like in online play, and what to do if you recognise yourself.
By the Latest Casinos team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- The NHS self-check scores nine questions from 0 to 3; a total of 8 or more suggests gambling harm is likely, and 1 to 7 can still mean it is affecting you.
- Chasing losses, rising stakes and hiding gambling are among the most telling signs.
- Online casinos must watch for signs of harm and stop marketing and new bonuses when strong indicators appear.
- In the 2025 Gambling Survey for Great Britain, 2.4% of respondents scored 8 or more on the problem gambling scale.
- Free, confidential help is available 24/7 on 0808 8020 133.
- Self-check
- NHS 9-question score
- Harm likely
- Score of 8 or more
- Possible impact
- Score of 1 to 7
- GB survey 2025
- 2.4% scored 8+
- Helpline
- 0808 8020 133, free, 24/7
- NHS clinics
- Self-referral in England
The main signs of problem gambling
Problem gambling rarely announces itself. It usually shows up as small changes that add up: a session that runs later than planned, a top-up after a loss, a statement you would rather nobody saw. The NHS page on gambling problems (opens in a new tab) lists the signs it considers most important. In plain terms, they are:
- betting more than you can afford to lose;
- needing to gamble with larger amounts to get the same feeling;
- trying to win back money you have lost;
- borrowing money or selling things to gamble;
- wondering whether your gambling is a problem;
- stress, anxiety or other health effects linked to gambling;
- other people criticising your betting;
- gambling causing money problems for you or your household;
- feeling guilty about how or when you gamble.
None of these means you are a bad person, and recognising one is not a diagnosis. They are prompts to look more closely, and the sooner you do, the more options you have.
The NHS self-check: score your own gambling
The NHS asks you to score each of the nine signs above, based on the past year, then add the numbers together. It takes about two minutes and works best if you answer honestly rather than how you would like things to be.
| Answer | Points per question |
|---|---|
| Never | 0 |
| Sometimes | 1 |
| Most of the time | 2 |
| Almost always | 3 |
| Total | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| 0 | No signs from these questions; keep an eye on your habits |
| 1 to 7 | Gambling may still be having a negative effect on your life |
| 8 or more | You, or those close to you, are likely experiencing gambling-related harm |
A worked example: someone answers ‘sometimes’ to chasing losses, betting more than they can afford and feeling guilty (3 points), and ‘most of the time’ to needing bigger stakes (2 points). Their total of 5 sits in the middle band. That is not a crisis score, but it is a clear signal that gambling is costing more than money.
Money warning signs of problem gambling
Money signs are often the first to become visible, because they leave a trail. Watch for patterns rather than single events.
- Depositing several times in one session after deciding on a single amount.
- Using money meant for rent, bills or food, then juggling payments to cover the gap.
- Gambling with an overdraft, a loan or money borrowed from friends.
- Feeling relief when a withdrawal lands, then depositing most of it again.
- Hiding bank statements or deleting notifications.
Consider a simple week. Someone plans to spend £50 on a slots session. After losing it, they deposit £40 more, then £40 again, and twice more over the next few days. That is £250 against a £50 plan, five times the intended amount. Each top-up felt small at the time, which is exactly why the total matters. A written gambling budget and deposit limits make that kind of drift visible.
Credit cards have been banned for gambling in Great Britain since 14 April 2020, including when used to fund an e-wallet. If you find yourself looking for ways round the credit card ban, treat that as a warning sign in itself.
Time, mood and behaviour signs
Not every sign is financial. Gambling problems also change how people spend their time and how they feel.
| Sign | What it can look like day to day |
|---|---|
| Preoccupation | Thinking about the next session at work, in bed or with family |
| Losing track of time | Sessions running hours past the plan; skipping meals or sleep |
| Restlessness | Irritability or low mood when not gambling or when trying to cut down |
| Escape | Gambling to deal with stress, boredom or loneliness |
| Secrecy | Playing in private, lying about where money or time went |
| Withdrawal from others | Less interest in hobbies, friends or family |
Gambling and mental health often affect each other. If gambling is feeding anxiety or low mood, or the other way round, our guide to gambling and mental health explains where to find joined-up support.
Signs of problem gambling that are specific to online casinos
Online play removes natural stopping points: no closing time, no walk home, no cash running out in a wallet. Some signs show up mainly on screen.
- Opening accounts at several sites so no single one sees the full picture; our page on multiple casino accounts explains why that also hides losses from you.
- Ignoring or switching off reality checks and session reminders.
- Raising a deposit limit, then raising it again.
- Choosing games for speed, or wishing spins were faster.
- Treating near misses or small returns as signs a big win is close.
UK design rules help a little. Slots must take at least 2.5 seconds per spin under the spin speed rule, sessions must show your net position under the net position display rule, and games cannot celebrate a return that is less than or equal to your stake under the losses disguised as wins ban. If you find yourself irritated by those safeguards, that is worth noticing.
Why chasing losses makes things worse: the maths
Every casino game has a built-in margin. A slot with a 96% return to player keeps, on average, £4 of every £100 staked over the long run; our guides to RTP and the house edge explain why that average holds however you play.
Time multiplies that margin. At the fastest legal pace of one spin every 2.5 seconds, a player could make up to 1,440 spins an hour. At £1 a spin, that is £1,440 staked, and an average expected loss of about £57.60 an hour on a 96% slot. Chasing a £100 loss by playing longer usually adds to the total rather than recovering it.
The belief that a win is ‘due’ after a run of losses is the gambler’s fallacy: each spin is independent, and the game has no memory. Our page on gambling myths covers other common beliefs that keep people playing, and our answer to can you win money at online casinos explains why gambling is best treated as paid entertainment.
What casinos must do when they see signs of harm
Licensed operators are not allowed to look away. Under licence code 3.4.3 on remote customer interaction (opens in a new tab), they must have systems to spot, act on and review signs of harm from the moment an account opens. The detail is set out on the customer interaction rules page.
| Indicator type | Example |
|---|---|
| Spend | Amount deposited or lost compared with the customer’s history |
| Patterns of spend | Repeated deposits in one session, rising stakes |
| Time spent | Long or late-night sessions |
| Behaviour | Erratic play, repeated declined deposits |
| Customer-led contact | Complaints about losses, requests for limits to be lifted |
| Use of tools | Removing limits or turning off reality checks |
When indicators are strong, marketing and new bonus take-up must stop, a requirement in force since 12 February 2023. Separately, since 28 February 2025 operators have had to run a public-record financial vulnerability check once a customer’s net deposits pass £150 in a rolling 30 days. The Commission says ‘affordability check’ is an inaccurate label for this; our page on affordability checks explains what is and is not live.
How common are gambling problems in Great Britain?
The Gambling Commission’s Gambling Survey for Great Britain annual report 2025 (opens in a new tab), published on 16 July 2026, found that 2.4% of respondents scored 8 or more on the problem gambling severity scale. The Commission notes this figure is not comparable with older surveys that used different methods, so it cannot be read as a rise or fall.
The same survey found 47% of people had gambled in the past four weeks, falling to 27% once people who only played lottery draws are excluded. In other words, gambling is common, and the signs on this page are relevant to far more people than those at the severe end.
What to do if you recognise the signs of problem gambling
You do not need to reach a particular score to ask for help. The steps below can be taken in any order, but the first one is often the most useful.
- Talk to someone: call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, free and open 24 hours a day, or use GamCare’s live chat and WhatsApp (opens in a new tab).
- Put a barrier in place: self-exclude from gambling through GAMSTOP and switch on a bank gambling block.
- Look at the money: list what you owe and get free advice; our guide to gambling debt help explains the options.
- Consider treatment: in England you can self-refer to an NHS gambling clinic, or ask your GP about local services.
- Tell someone you trust, so you are not carrying it alone.
If gambling ever leaves you feeling unable to cope or unsafe, contact Samaritans on 116 123 or call 999 in an emergency. Our answer to how do I stop gambling and the directory of free gambling support in the UK set out longer-term options.
Spotting the signs of problem gambling in someone else
Family and friends often notice before the person gambling does. Unexplained money worries, missing possessions, long periods on a phone, mood swings around sports results or paydays, and defensiveness when gambling comes up can all be signs. Our guide to help for family and friends covers how to raise it and where to get support for yourself. The National Gambling Helpline also takes calls from people worried about someone else.
For more on staying in control, see our full list of online casino guides, including reality checks and time-outs.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set deposit limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of a gambling problem?
Early signs are usually small changes in habits: spending more than planned, topping up after a loss, gambling for longer than intended and feeling uneasy about it afterwards. The NHS lists chasing losses, needing bigger stakes, borrowing to gamble and feeling guilty among the main warning signs. If one or two sound familiar, try the NHS self-check, which scores nine questions from 0 to 3. Setting a firm gambling budget at this stage can stop habits hardening.
How do I know if I am a problem gambler?
The quickest way is the NHS self-check: answer nine questions about the past year, scoring never as 0, sometimes as 1, most of the time as 2 and almost always as 3. A total of 8 or more suggests you are likely experiencing gambling-related harm, while 1 to 7 means it may still be affecting your life. A score is a guide, not a diagnosis. For a confidential conversation, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Our free gambling support directory lists other options.
Is chasing losses a sign of problem gambling?
Yes, chasing losses is one of the clearest signs of problem gambling and appears in the NHS self-check. It means gambling more, or for longer, to win back money already lost. Because every casino game has a house edge, playing longer usually increases total losses rather than recovering them. A £100 loss chased with another £100 often becomes a £200 loss. Our explainer on the gambler’s fallacy shows why past results do not make a win more likely.
Can you have a gambling problem without being in debt?
Yes. Debt is only one possible effect. The NHS signs include preoccupation, guilt, stress, needing larger stakes and other people criticising your betting, none of which depend on owing money. Someone on a good income can lose time, sleep, relationships and peace of mind to gambling while paying every bill. The NHS says even a score of 1 to 7 on its self-check can mean gambling is having a negative effect. Our guide to gambling and mental health looks at the non-financial side.
Do online casinos have to act if they see signs of problem gambling?
Yes. Under licence code 3.4.3, operators licensed in Great Britain must have systems to identify and act on signs of harm, such as rising spend, long sessions, repeated deposits or requests to remove limits. Where indicators are strong, they must stop marketing to you and stop you taking new bonuses. They must also review automated decisions manually. Our page on customer interaction rules explains what operators must do and how you can contest a decision.
How many people in the UK have a gambling problem?
The Gambling Commission’s Gambling Survey for Great Britain, with its 2025 annual report published in July 2026, found 2.4% of respondents scored 8 or more on the problem gambling severity index. The Commission warns that this figure cannot be compared with older surveys because the method changed. Many more people experience lower-level harm that does not reach that score. The survey covers Great Britain only. The UK casino rules summary explains the regulator’s wider role.
What should I do if I think I have a gambling problem?
Start by talking to someone: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 is free, confidential and open around the clock, with live chat and WhatsApp too. Then put barriers in place, such as GAMSTOP, a bank gambling block and blocking software. In England you can self-refer to an NHS gambling clinic. If money is tight, get free debt advice before anything else. Our guide on how to self-exclude from gambling walks through the first barrier step by step.
Are some casino games more likely to cause problems?
Fast, continuous games carry more risk because they allow many bets in a short time. Online slots are the clearest example, which is why they have specific rules: a 2.5-second minimum per spin, no autoplay, and stake limits of £5 per spin for players aged 25 and over and £2 for those aged 18 to 24. Since 17 January 2025, similar design rules cover other online casino games. Every safeguard is listed under the game design rules.
Can gambling problems affect family members?
Yes, gambling harm often reaches partners, children, parents and friends through money worries, broken trust, stress and time lost together. The NHS notes that its clinics can support family members as well as the person gambling, and the National Gambling Helpline takes calls from anyone affected. Groups such as Gam-Anon offer meetings for relatives. Our guide to help for family and friends covers how to start a conversation and protect your own finances.