Gambling involves risking money or other valuables on uncertain outcomes in games of chance, such as on scratchcards, fruit machines, betting with friends, or online casinos. It can have positive aspects, such as keeping people entertained and providing an outlet for boredom, but it can also lead to addiction and financial ruin.
It can be challenging to know what to do when a friend or family member is struggling with gambling problems. You should start by addressing their behaviour directly and calmly and not engaging in critical or angry comments. If you feel the conversation is becoming unproductive, you should end it and try to talk again at a later time.
You can support the person by managing family finances until their gambling is under control and by setting boundaries such as requiring them to get professional help, opening bank accounts that require signatures for withdrawals and putting valuables in a safety deposit box. You should also encourage them to engage in hobbies and other social activities that do not involve gambling and try to promote emotional stability in the family.
You can also encourage them to join a support group, such as Gambler’s Anonymous which follows the same model as Alcoholics Anonymous and provides support and guidance for recovering gamblers. It is important to remember that you can only change their behaviour, and it may take a long time for them to acknowledge that it is causing harm.