Are you or a loved one dealing with a gambling problem? Explore the warning signs and symptoms and learn how to stop.
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- Stars With Gambling Problems
Former NBA player and current TNT NBA sports analyst, Charles Barkley revealed his personal struggles with gambling during an interview with ESPN, admitting that his problem has cost him over $10 million. According to one study, gambling was the most frequently identified social activity among adults over 65, with casinos and bingo surpassing movies, lunch, shopping and golf as preferred social activities. Learn more about why seniors are vulnerable to gambling addiction and the signs of problem gambling. Iverson tool part in All-star games 11 times. However, professional sport has hardly appeared to be the reasons to avoid gambling and alcohol problems. Alan was so passionate when playing poker and blackjack that Detroit and Atlantic City casinos had nothing to do but to ban the NBA star player. The final actor that we will talk about to make out 5 film stars to have claimed to have gambling problems, is Ray Romano. For those of you that don’t recognise his name or might not know who he is, Ray Romano is an actor that is most famously known for his role in the TV series “Everyone Loves Raymond”.
What is gambling addiction and problem gambling?
Gambling problems can happen to anyone from any walk of life. Your gambling goes from a fun, harmless diversion to an unhealthy obsession with serious consequences. Whether you bet on sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slots—in a casino, at the track, or online—a gambling problem can strain your relationships, interfere with work, and lead to financial disaster. You may even do things you never thought you would, like running up huge debts or even stealing money to gamble.
Gambling addiction—also known as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling or gambling disorder—is an impulse-control disorder. If you’re a compulsive gambler, you can’t control the impulse to gamble, even when it has negative consequences for you or your loved ones. You’ll gamble whether you’re up or down, broke or flush, and you’ll keep gambling regardless of the consequences—even when you know that the odds are against you or you can’t afford to lose.
Of course, you can also have a gambling problem without being totally out of control. Problem gambling is any gambling behavior that disrupts your life. If you’re preoccupied with gambling, spending more and more time and money on it, chasing losses, or gambling despite serious consequences in your life, you have a gambling problem.
A gambling addiction or problem is often associated with other behavior or mood disorders. Many problem gamblers also suffer with substance abuse issues, unmanaged ADHD, stress, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. To overcome your gambling problems, you’ll also need to address these and any other underlying causes as well.
Although it may feel like you’re powerless to stop gambling, there are plenty of things you can do to overcome the problem, repair your relationships and finances, and finally regain control of your life.
The first step is to separate the myths from the facts about gambling problems:
| Myths and Facts about Gambling Problems |
Myth: You have to gamble every day to be a problem gambler. Fact: A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. Gambling is a problem if it causes problems. |
Myth: Problem gambling is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it. Fact: Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. Too much time spent on gambling can also lead to relationship and legal problems, job loss, mental health problems including depression and anxiety, and even suicide. |
Myth: Having a gambling problem is just a case of being weak-willed, irresponsible, or unintelligent. Fact: Gambling problems affect people of all levels of intelligence and all backgrounds. Previously responsible and strong-willed people are just as likely to develop a gambling problem as anyone else. |
Myth: Partners of problem gamblers often drive their loved ones to gamble. Fact: Problem gamblers often try to rationalize their behavior. Blaming others is one way to avoid taking responsibility for their actions, including what is needed to overcome the problem. |
Myth: If a problem gambler builds up a debt, you should help them take care of it. Fact: Quick fix solutions may appear to be the right thing to do. However, bailing the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling their gambling problems to continue. |
Gambling addiction signs and symptoms
Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as a “hidden illness” because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction. Problem gamblers also typically deny or minimize the problem—even to themselves. However, you may have a gambling problem if you:
Feel the need to be secretive about your gambling. You might gamble in secret or lie about how much you gamble, feeling others won’t understand or that you will surprise them with a big win.
Have trouble controlling your gambling. Once you start gambling, can you walk away? Or are you compelled to gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar, upping your bets in a bid to win lost money back?
Gamble even when you don’t have the money. You may gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar, and then move on to money you don’t have—money to pay bills, credit cards, or things for your children. You may feel pushed to borrow, sell, or even steal things for gambling money.
Have family and friends worried about you. Denial keeps problem gambling going. If friends and family are worried, listen to them carefully. It’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Many older gamblers are reluctant to reach out to their adult children if they’ve gambled away their inheritance, but it’s never too late to make changes for the better.
Self-help for gambling problems
The biggest step to overcoming a gambling addiction is realizing that you have a problem. It takes tremendous strength and courage to own up to this, especially if you have lost a lot of money and strained or broken relationships along the way. Don’t despair, and don’t try to go it alone. Many others have been in your shoes and have been able to break the habit and rebuild their lives. You can, too.
Learn to relieve unpleasant feelings in healthier ways. Do you gamble when you’re lonely or bored? Or after a stressful day at work or following an argument with your spouse? Gambling may be a way to self-soothe unpleasant emotions, unwind, or socialize. But there are healthier and more effective ways of managing your moods and relieving boredom, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, taking up new hobbies, or practicing relaxation techniques.
Strengthen your support network. It’s tough to battle any addiction without support, so reach out to friends and family. If your support network is limited, there are ways to make new friends without relying on visiting casinos or gambling online. Try reaching out to colleagues at work, joining a sports team or book club, enrolling in an education class, or volunteering for a good cause.
Join a peer support group. Gamblers Anonymous, for example, is a 12-step recovery program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. A key part of the program is finding a sponsor, a former gambler who has experience remaining free from addiction and can provide you invaluable guidance and support.
Seek help for underlying mood disorders.Depression, stress, substance abuse, or anxiety can both trigger gambling problems and be made worse by compulsive gambling. Even when gambling is no longer a part of your life, these problems will still remain, so it’s important to address them.
How to stop gambling for good
For many problem gamblers, it’s not quitting gambling that’s the biggest challenge, but rather staying in recovery—making a permanent commitment to stay away from gambling. The Internet has made gambling far more accessible and, therefore, harder for recovering addicts to avoid relapse. Online casinos and bookmakers are open all day, every day for anyone with a smartphone or access to a computer. But maintaining recovery from gambling addiction or problem gambling is still possible if you surround yourself with people to whom you’re accountable, avoid tempting environments and websites, give up control of your finances (at least at first), and find healthier activities to replace gambling in your life.
Making healthier choices
Sports Stars With Gambling Problems
One way to stop gambling is to remove the elements necessary for gambling to occur in your life and replace them with healthier choices. The four elements needed for gambling to continue are:
A decision: For gambling to happen, you need to make the decision to gamble. If you have an urge: stop what you are doing and call someone, think about the consequences to your actions, tell yourself to stop thinking about gambling, and find something else to do immediately.
Money: Gambling cannot occur without money. Get rid of your credit cards, let someone else be in charge of your money, have the bank make automatic payments for you, close online betting accounts, and keep only a limited amount of cash on you.
Time: Even online gambling cannot occur if you don’t have the time. Schedule enjoyable recreational time for yourself that has nothing to do with gambling. If you’re gambling on your smartphone, find other ways to fill the quiet moments during your day.
A game: Without a game or activity to bet on there is no opportunity to gamble. Don’t put yourself in tempting environments. Tell gambling establishments you frequent that you have a gambling problem and ask them to restrict you from entering. Remove gambling apps and block gambling sites on your smartphone and computer.
Finding alternatives to gambling
Maintaining recovery from gambling addiction depends a lot on finding alternative behaviors you can substitute for gambling. Some examples include:
Stars With Gambling Problems Finding
| Reason for gambling | Sample substitute behaviors |
| To provide excitement, get a rush of adrenaline | Sport or a challenging hobby, such as mountain biking, rock climbing, or Go Kart racing |
| To be more social, overcome shyness or isolation | Counseling, enroll in a public speaking class, join a social group, connect with family and friends, volunteer, find new friends |
| To numb unpleasant feelings, not think about problems | Try therapy or use HelpGuide’s free Emotional Intelligence toolkit |
| Boredom or loneliness | Find something you’re passionate about such as art, music, sports, or books and then find others with the same interests |
| To relax after a stressful day | As little as 15 minutes of daily exercise can relieve stress. Or deep breathing, meditation, or massage |
| To solve money problems | The odds are always stacked against you so it’s far better to seek help with debts from a credit counselor |
Dealing with gambling cravings
Feeling the urge to gamble is normal, but as you build healthier choices and a strong support network, resisting cravings will become easier. When a gambling craving strikes:
Avoid isolation. Call a trusted family member, meet a friend for coffee, or go to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting.
Postpone gambling. Tell yourself that you’ll wait 5 minutes, fifteen minutes, or an hour. As you wait, the urge to gamble may pass or become weak enough to resist.
Visualize what will happen if you give in to the urge to gamble. Think about how you’ll feel after all your money is gone and you’ve disappointed yourself and your family again.
Distract yourself with another activity, such as going to the gym, watching a movie, or practicing a relaxation exercise for gambling cravings.
Coping with lapses
If you aren’t able to resist the gambling craving, don’t be too hard on yourself or use it as an excuse to give up. Overcoming a gambling addiction is a tough process. You may slip from time to time; the important thing is to learn from your mistakes and continue working towards recovery.
Gambling addiction treatment
Overcoming a gambling problem is never easy and seeking professional treatment doesn’t mean that you’re weak in some way or can’t handle your problems. But it’s important to remember that every gambler is unique so you need a recovery program tailored specifically to your needs and situation. Talk to your doctor or mental health professional about different treatment options, including:
Inpatient or residential treatment and rehab programs. These are aimed at those with severe gambling addiction who are unable to avoid gambling without round-the-clock support.
Treatment for underlying conditions contributing to your compulsive gambling, including substance abuse or mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, OCD, or ADHD. This could include therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Problem gambling can sometimes be a symptom of bipolar disorder, so your doctor or therapist may need to rule this out before making a diagnosis.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy. CBT for gambling addiction focuses on changing unhealthy gambling behaviors and thoughts, such as rationalizations and false beliefs. It can also teach you how to fight gambling urges and solve financial, work, and relationship problems caused by problem gambling. Therapy can provide you with the tools for coping with your addiction that will last a lifetime.
Family therapy and marriage, career, and credit counseling. These can help you work through the specific issues that have been created by your problem gambling and lay the foundation for repairing your relationships and finances.
How to help someone stop gambling
If your loved one has a gambling problem, you likely have many conflicting emotions. You may have spent a lot of time and energy trying to keep your loved one from gambling or having to cover for them. At the same time, you might be furious at your loved one for gambling again and tired of trying to keep up the charade. Your loved one may have borrowed or even stolen money with no way to pay it back. They may have sold family possessions or run up huge debts on joint credit cards.
While compulsive and problem gamblers need the support of their family and friends to help them in their struggle to stop gambling, the decision to quit has to be theirs. As much as you may want to, and as hard as it is seeing the effects, you cannot make someone stop gambling. However, you can encourage them to seek help, support them in their efforts, protect yourself, and take any talk of suicide seriously.
Preventing suicide in problem gamblers
When faced with the consequences of their actions, problem gamblers can suffer a crushing drop in self-esteem. This is one reason why there is a high rate of suicide among compulsive gamblers. If you suspect your loved one is feeling suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the U.S. at 1-800-273-8255 or visit Befrienders Worldwide to find a suicide helpline in your country.
Four tips for family members:
- Start by helping yourself. You have a right to protect yourself emotionally and financially. Don’t blame yourself for the gambler’s problems or let his or her addiction dominate your life. Ignoring your own needs can be a recipe for burnout.
- Don’t go it alone. It can feel so overwhelming coping with a loved one’s gambling addiction that it may seem easier to rationalize their requests “this one last time.” Or you might feel ashamed, feeling like you are the only one who has problems like this. Reaching out for support will make you realize that many families have struggled with this problem.
- Set boundaries in managing money. To ensure the gambler stays accountable and to prevent relapse, consider taking over the family finances. However, this does not mean you are responsible for micromanaging the problem gambler’s impulses to gamble. Your first responsibilities are to ensure that your own finances and credit are not at risk.
- Consider how you will handle requests for money. Problem gamblers often become very good at asking for money, either directly or indirectly. They may use pleading, manipulation, or even threats to get it. It takes practice to ensure you are not enabling your loved one’s gambling addiction.
| Do’s and Don’ts for Partners of Problem Gamblers |
| Do… |
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| Don’t… |
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A recent swathe of tabloid stories have emerged about professional footballers whose out-of-control gambling habits have left a serious dent in their bank balances. And also, in some cases, put their entire careers in jeopardy. Outrageous behaviour amongst the footballing elite is nothing new, unfortunately.
George Best: King of the Hellraisers
The legendary George Best is a prime example. Despite his keen intelligence and prodigious talent, had an unerring knack of making truly catastrophic life decisions. Notoriously drawn to a path of self-destruction, Best drank, womanised and gambled away several fortunes in a never-ending pursuit of decadent thrills.
Indeed, that reckless streak was a huge part of his charm. He was a lovable rogue with a ‘devil-may-care’ glint in his eye. Through Best, legions of fans could escape the tedious grind of the nine-to-five and live vicarious dreams of footballing glory and showbiz excess. To the outside world, George had outfoxed the system. He’d stuck two fingers up to the establishment, and lived his life on his own terms. It’s only with hindsight that we can appreciate how tragically he squandered his genius.
Best’s behaviour left a string of wrecked relationships and ultimately led to a rapid deterioration in his mental and physical health. However, it was also part of his mythos. Like many a Hollywood hellraiser, Best was a glamorous figure: a maverick, a showman, a rebel without a cause. Life was never dull with ‘Gorgeous George’ around. Fans idolised him, and thousands dreamed of emulating his image as the wild man of football, albeit on a tighter budget than their hero could afford in his prime.
What is it about the modern game that makes so many gifted young players fall into gambling addiction? After all, successive generations should learn from the folly of their forefathers. After so many tragic tales of self-destruction, from George Best to Gazza, people should have learned something. Nobody understands, why talented young footballers still find themselves up to their necks in addiction.
The Years Since Best
One of the major differences is that, back in Best’s heyday, there was no such thing as online gambling. In order to place a bet, you had to physically go to a high street bookies or visit the races in person. At the very least, you had to make a phone call to your turf accountant. This required a certain amount of planning. The temptation to make wild, impromptu wagers in a split second of recklessness was tempered by the practicalities of punting. It could still be done quite readily, but not with the ease and sophistication that we see today.
Nowadays, anyone with a smartphone can place a bet within seconds, without having to deal with anyone face-to-face. The sheer convenience and immediacy of online betting means there’s one less barrier to overcome, one less hurdle to jump. You can literally place a bet whilst sitting in your pants, half asleep and possibly drunk. Try doing that in your local branch of Ladbrokes. The doorman will show the door quicker than you can say “fifty grand each way on the 100/1 outsider, please!”
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Keith Gillespie: From Stardom to Bankruptcy
The stakes, both literally and figuratively, are higher than they’ve ever been. Take for instance Keith Gillespie. The Northern Irish international rose to fame in the 1990s, when his gambling addiction cost him an estimated £100,000 per day. Gillespie made millions of pounds during his playing career but ended up losing most of his estimated £7.2 million fortune. He always found himself chasing ever greater thrills before eventually being declared bankrupt in 2010.
Matthew Etherington: A Lucky Break
When it comes to footballers who have lost fortunes in excess of a million pounds through reckless gambling, the list of casualties makes grim reading. West Ham’s Matthew Etherington ran up debts of £1.5 million during his time with the club. He finally conquered his addiction after his move to Stoke City. There he was lucky enough to receive the support necessary to regain his natural focus.
Tom Williams and Paul Merson: Desperate Measures
Others were far less fortunate. Guildford and Peterborough’s Tom Williams ran up a million pounds of debts through a gambling habit. He even somehow managed to keep secret from his wife. However, the secret was revealed when his house was suddenly besieged by bailiffs hellbent on removing the couple’s prized possessions.
A similar tale of woe cost Paul Merson his luxury flat, and forced him to move back in with his parents at the somewhat embarrassing age of 40.
Joey Barton: Lone Wolf, or the Tip of the Iceberg?
The range of betting activities in which the aforementioned players have been involved are wide and varied. From horses and dogs to blackjack and baccarat, there is a game to suit every pocket, but there is one fundamental rule which only the most foolhardy footballer would ever break. It is strictly illegal for players in England’s top eight tiers to place any bets on football whatsoever.
Perhaps the sorry tale of Joey Barton can help shed some light on the temptations facing modern players. Following an estimated 15,000 wagers which he placed across the whole gamut of sports, the former Manchester City, QPR, Newcastle and Rangers midfielder received an 18 month ban for breaking one of the sporting world’s greatest taboos: betting on his own matches. Not only is he currently banned from playing; he can’t even train at a football club. At the age of 35, he has effectively been forced into premature retirement, and a glittering career is in tatters as a direct result of his uncontrollable gambling habit.
Controversially, Barton claims that he is far from being alone in betting illegally on football. He believes that gambling is so culturally ingrained within the sport that, in his estimation, over 50% of his fellow players are committing the same offence for which he was banned. The implications for the industry are extremely serious, and the potential repercussions would be devastating in their impact, if Barton’s claims turn out to be true.
Kevin Twaddle: Light at the End of the Tunnel
Fortunately, there is an increasing focus on finding ways for gambling addicts to overcome their problems. In some cases, seasoned footballers are taking a leading role in helping their peers to navigate the stormy seas of addiction.
Former Hearts and Motherwell player Kevin Twaddle was once on the edge of suicide. He had lost over £1 million as a result of his gambling problem. Through counselling and rehab, Twaddle managed to get himself back on track. He now devotes much of his time to helping his fellow players avoid the pitfalls he himself fell into by organising awareness campaigns. He believes that the problem is aggravated by football’s deep-rooted association with major betting firms, and advocates a total ban on gambling sponsorship.
Twaddle’s suggestions are bound to be controversial, due to the sheer amount of revenue which is generated by corporate sponsorship. But when faced with a situation in which the reputation of the sport is hanging in the balance and the well-being of both players and fans alike is under threat, it’s time for football to stop turning a blind eye to the problem and start thinking in terms of the long game.
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