Concerns about someone else
(partners, parents, children, friends)
My partner has a gambling problem
This information is for people whose partner has a gambling problem. Do you recognize yourself in one of these situations?
- You have just discovered that your partner gambles.
- Your partner gambles and lies about it.
- Your partner has lost a lot of money after a period of gambling.
- Your partner has started gambling again after a period of stopping.
- You are looking for help for your partner.
- You are looking for help for yourself to cope with this.
My parent has a gambling problem
This information is for children whose parent has a gambling problem. Do you recognize yourself in the following situations?
- You have just discovered that one of your parents gambles.
- Your father/mother gambles and lies about it.
- You have discovered that your father/mother is gambling again after a period of stopping.
- You are looking for help for your father/mother.
- You are looking for help for yourself to cope with this.
My child gambles
This information is for parents and/or caregivers of a child with a gambling problem. Do you recognize yourself in one of these situations?
- You have discovered that your child gambles.
- Your child gambles and you doubt whether this is a problem.
- You see that (large) amounts are being debited from your child’s account by gambling companies and/or gambling websites.
- Your child does not allow you to view his/her bank account.
- Your child regularly lies about his or her gambling behavior.
- Your child is gambling again.
A friend of mine has a gambling problem
This information is for people whose friend has a gambling problem. Do you recognize yourself in one of these situations?
- You have just discovered that a friend gambles.
- Your friend gambles and lies about it.
- Your friend has lost a lot of money after a period of gambling.
- Your friend has started gambling again after a period of stopping.
- You are looking for help for your friend.
- You are looking for help for yourself to cope with this.
Signals for loved ones
“A person may show one or more signs. The signs can also change if gambling behaviour increases. These signs may indicate a gambling problem, but they do not have to. Something else could be going on. That’s why it’s always important to talk to the person.”
– Helder op school
Behaviour
- Lying
- Cheating
- Mysterious
- Change in habits
- Increasing screen time
- Absent from school or work
- Not open about finances
- Talking a lot about sports
- Obsession with money (earning)
- Do not open their mail
- Untidy appearance
Social
- Withdrawing
- Mentally and physically absent
- Neglecting hobbies
- Relationship problems
- Tensions in the family
- New circle of friends
Emotional
- Stress
- Sad
- Restless
- Irritable
- Mood swings
- Unexplained joy
- Unexplained anger
- Tense before sports events
Practical
- Money disappears
- Borrowing money
- Money problems
- Gambling apps
- Gambling sites
- Visits to casinos
- Strange transfers
- Cash
- Empty savings account
- Not doing fun things
- (Suddenly) possessing a lot of money