Gambling
What are the signs of a gambling problem?
Short answer
Signs of a gambling problem include betting more than you can afford to lose, needing to bet more to get the same excitement, chasing losses, lying about gambling, borrowing to gamble, and losing control over how much you gamble. Clinicians diagnose gambling disorder when someone meets four or more of nine DSM-5 criteria within 12 months, but WHO notes that gambling harm also occurs well below clinical thresholds.
Key takeaways
- DSM-5 diagnoses gambling disorder when four or more of nine criteria occur within a 12-month period.
- ICD-11's core features are impaired control, gambling taking priority over other life interests, and continuing despite negative consequences.
- On the NHS nine-question self-check, a score of 8 or higher means gambling-related harm is likely.
- Harm can appear before a diagnosis, such as money diverted from essential household spending.
- Help is free: 1-800-MY-RESET (US), 0808 8020 133 (England and Scotland), 0808 2819 265 (Wales).
What are the DSM-5 criteria for gambling disorder?
Under DSM-5, gambling disorder is diagnosed when a person meets four or more of the following nine criteria within a 12-month period (as summarized by researchers Carla Rash and Nancy Petry):
- Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the desired excitement
- Restlessness or irritability when trying to cut down
- Loss of control over gambling
- Being preoccupied with gambling
- Often gambling in response to distress
- Chasing losses
- Lying to hide how much you gamble
- Putting relationships, education or job opportunities at risk because of gambling
- Relying on others to bail you out of gambling-related money crises
How does the World Health Organization describe gambling disorder?
The WHO's ICD-11 lists gambling disorder under code 6C50. WHO summarizes its three diagnostic requirements as impaired control over gambling; increasing priority given to gambling, so it takes precedence over other life interests and daily activities; and continuing to gamble despite negative consequences. Only a qualified professional can diagnose the disorder, but recognizing these patterns in yourself is a good reason to talk to one.
Is there a quick self-check for a gambling problem?
The NHS offers a nine-question self-assessment. If your total score is 8 or higher, you, or those closest to you, are likely to be experiencing gambling-related harms. The questions are:
- Do you bet more than you can afford to lose?
- Do you need to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling?
- Have you tried to win back money you have lost (chasing losses)?
- Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
- Have you wondered whether you have a problem with gambling?
- Has your gambling caused you any health problems, including feelings of stress or anxiety?
- Have other people criticized your betting or told you that you had a problem with gambling (regardless of whether or not you thought it was true)?
- Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?
- Have you ever felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?
Can gambling cause harm before it becomes a disorder?
Yes. WHO notes that gambling harm also occurs well below clinical thresholds. Signs include diverting money from essential household spending, which can lead to food insecurity, housing problems, and difficulty accessing healthcare and education. Harm can also reach families, including relationship breakdown and financial distress. WHO estimates that around 5.5% of women and 11.9% of men globally experience some level of gambling harm.
Where can you get help for a gambling problem?
You don't need a diagnosis to ask for help. These services are free:
- US: the National Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-MY-RESET (call or text), is free, confidential and available 24/7, and provides referrals to local resources.
- England and Scotland: the National Gambling Helpline, 0808 8020 133, is free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Wales: 0808 2819 265.
- England: NHS specialist gambling treatment clinics have psychiatrists and psychologists who can treat gambling problems.
- Peer support: Gamblers Anonymous runs local support groups using a 12-step approach.
How Vow can help
Vow isn't a diagnostic tool, but its free daily check-in and streak counter give you a running record of your gambling, and Insights (mostly Premium) show your craving patterns and resist rate. If you decide to quit, your plan is built around your own triggers and your reason for stopping, and crisis resources by region are always free in the app.
Sources
Each source below was read when this answer was reviewed. Open a source to see the passages the answer relies on.
Rash & Petry, Current Addiction Reports (2016), via PMC — Gambling Disorder in the DSM-5: Opportunities to Improve Diagnosis and Treatment Especially in Substance Use and Homeless Populationspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
diagnosis of GD is made when an individual meets four or more of the following criteria within a 12-month period
needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve desired excitement
exhibits restlessness or irritability when trying to decrease gambling activity
experiences loss of control over gambling
is preoccupied with gambling
often gambles in response to distress
chases losses
lies to conceal extent of gambling involvement
jeopardizes relationships, educational, or employment opportunities because of gambling
relies on others for financial bailouts for gambling-related financial crises
Open the sourceWorld Health Organization — Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours: Terminologywho.int
6C50 Gambling disorder
Open the sourceWorld Health Organization — Gambling (fact sheet, 2 December 2024)who.int
The ICD-11 describes three diagnostic requirements: 1) impaired control over gambling; 2) increasing priority given to gambling, taking precedence over other life interests and daily activities; and 3) continuation of gambling despite negative consequences.
Gambling harm also occurs well below clinical thresholds.
Signs of harm include the diversion of money from essential household spending. This can lead to food insecurity, housing problems and difficulties accessing healthcare and education.
Gambling harms also include relationship breakdown, family violence, financial distress, stigma, income-generating crimes (theft, fraud), neglect of children, and erosion of civil institutions via corruption.
Around 5.5% of women and 11.9% of men globally experience some level of harm
Open the sourceNHS — Help for problems with gamblingnhs.uk
Do you bet more than you can afford to lose?
Do you need to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling?
Have you tried to win back money you have lost (chasing losses)?
Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
Have you wondered whether you have a problem with gambling?
Has your gambling caused you any health problems, including feelings of stress or anxiety?
Have other people criticised your betting or told you that you had a problem with gambling (regardless of whether or not you thought it was true)?
Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?
Have you ever felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?
If your total score is 8 or higher, you or those closest to you, are likely to be experiencing gambling-related harms.
The National Gambling Helpline (run by GamCare) – call 0808 8020 133 for free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
psychiatrists and psychologists who can treat you if gambling is causing you problems
a local support group service that uses the 12-step approach to recovery
Open the sourceNational Council on Problem Gambling — NCPG Adopts 1-800-MY-RESET as New National Problem Gambling Helpline Number (January 29, 2026)ncpgambling.org
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) today announced it has adopted 1-800-MY-RESET as the new National Problem Gambling Helpline™ number
The National Problem Gambling Helpline™ is available 24/7, is free and confidential, and provides support and referrals to local resources.
Open the sourceNational Council on Problem Gambling — Help & Treatmentncpgambling.org
Text. 1-800-MY-RESET
Open the sourceNational Institute of Mental Health — Help for Mental Illnessesnimh.nih.gov
Call or text 988 or start a chat online to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Open the sourceNHS — Where to get urgent help for mental healthnhs.uk
Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans
Get help from 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if someone's life is at risk or you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe.
Open the source
This page is general information, not medical advice, and it does not replace care from a qualified professional. If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. Vow is not a medical service.