What to do if a loved one is addicted to casinos
1. Recognizing the problem: key signs
1. Excessive passion for betting. A person spends more and more time playing, despite the negative consequences.
2. Secrecy and lies. Hiding financial transactions, lying about the location and amount of money spent.
3. Emotional instability. Irritability, anxiety, aggression when trying to restrict access to casinos.
4. Financial difficulties. Constant requests to borrow money, growing debts, withdrawing large amounts of cash.
5. Social isolation. Rejection of communication, hobbies and family events in favor of the game.
2. First steps for loved ones
1. Gather the facts.
Compare bank statements before and after the dependency occurs.
Record the dates and amounts of major losses.
Note how this affected the budget and relationships.
2. Select a trustee.
One or two people from family or friends, ready to act together.
Allocate roles: who controls finances, who communicates with the addict, who is looking for information.
3. Identify the purpose of the intervention.
Restrict access to money.
Call the addict to a frank conversation.
Find professional help (psychologist, therapist, support group).
3. Organizing a "family intervention"
1. Preparing the meeting.
Assign a time when the dependent is as calm as possible.
Prepare the facts, without emotion: statements, spending schedules, your own observations.
2. Structure of conversation.
Discovery: "We noticed you were..."
Factbox: "You lost in the last month..."
Feelings: "We're scared for you and the family"
Request: "We want to help you stop playing. That's what we offer.."
3. Proposed support plan.
Financial control (proxy cards, weekly reports).
Psychological help (therapist, consultations, groups of anonymous players).
Alternative activities (sports, hobbies, volunteering).
4. Financial constraints
1. Transfer of access to funds.
Trust management of cards and Internet banking.
Splitting budgets: "pocket" money - a limited amount for a week.
2. Setting locks.
Third-party applications for filtering gambling sites.
Contacting the bank with a request to block transactions for gaming services.
3. Transparency of spending.
Joint maintenance of the family budget.
Weekly expense reconciliations - capture variances and adjust limits.
5. Psychological and emotional support
1. Creating a trusting atmosphere.
No blame: Say "we're worried," not "you're guilty."
Actively listen: let me speak, ask clarifying questions.
2. Motivational conversations.
Focus on positive goals: family, health, career.
Remind of the progress made: every day without betting is a step towards freedom.
3. Support groups.
Anonymous Players (GA) - regular online and offline meetings.
Professional counseling - psychologists specializing in addictions.
6. Setting boundaries and consequences
Clear rules. Write and sign together.
Consistency. All family members support one solution.
7. Alternative activities and rebuilding trust
1. Collaborative activities.
Sports: running, swimming, fitness club.
Creativity: painting, crafts, music.
2. Professional courses.
Cooking, foreign languages, IT training.
Volunteer projects - a sense of benefit and a new social role.
3. Gradual expansion of the range of interests.
New hobbies, participation in hobby clubs.
Support for relatives in the first steps: together for the first lesson.
8. Self-care for family members
1. Own emotional unloading.
Individualized therapy or support groups for relatives.
2. Correct balance of care.
Clearly separate time: support for the dependent and your own needs.
3. Information hygiene.
Limit the flow of alarming betting news to reduce emotional strain.
9. When to contact professionals
1. Repeated breakdowns. If the dependent returns to the game despite all measures.
2. Threat to life or health. Suicidal thoughts, serious debts, abuse of loans.
3. Associated disorders. Depression, anxiety or panic attacks, alcohol/drug dependence.
Where to go: public clinics, private psychotherapists, hotlines (24/7), online platforms with licensed specialists.
10. Final Action Plan
1. Recognize signs and collect facts.
2. Organize a trusted support team.
3. Conduct a structured family intervention.
4. Introduce financial restrictions and controls.
5. Provide emotional support and psychotherapy.
6. Set clear boundaries and consequences.
7. Offer alternative activities and restore trust.
8. Monitor your own condition and, if necessary, connect professionals.
The systemic and coordinated approach of loved ones is the key to bringing a person out of gaming addiction. Consistent steps, clear rules and unconditional emotional support will help return the balance to the life of the family and return the dependent to a full, free life.
1. Excessive passion for betting. A person spends more and more time playing, despite the negative consequences.
2. Secrecy and lies. Hiding financial transactions, lying about the location and amount of money spent.
3. Emotional instability. Irritability, anxiety, aggression when trying to restrict access to casinos.
4. Financial difficulties. Constant requests to borrow money, growing debts, withdrawing large amounts of cash.
5. Social isolation. Rejection of communication, hobbies and family events in favor of the game.
2. First steps for loved ones
1. Gather the facts.
Compare bank statements before and after the dependency occurs.
Record the dates and amounts of major losses.
Note how this affected the budget and relationships.
2. Select a trustee.
One or two people from family or friends, ready to act together.
Allocate roles: who controls finances, who communicates with the addict, who is looking for information.
3. Identify the purpose of the intervention.
Restrict access to money.
Call the addict to a frank conversation.
Find professional help (psychologist, therapist, support group).
3. Organizing a "family intervention"
1. Preparing the meeting.
Assign a time when the dependent is as calm as possible.
Prepare the facts, without emotion: statements, spending schedules, your own observations.
2. Structure of conversation.
Discovery: "We noticed you were..."
Factbox: "You lost in the last month..."
Feelings: "We're scared for you and the family"
Request: "We want to help you stop playing. That's what we offer.."
3. Proposed support plan.
Financial control (proxy cards, weekly reports).
Psychological help (therapist, consultations, groups of anonymous players).
Alternative activities (sports, hobbies, volunteering).
4. Financial constraints
1. Transfer of access to funds.
Trust management of cards and Internet banking.
Splitting budgets: "pocket" money - a limited amount for a week.
2. Setting locks.
Third-party applications for filtering gambling sites.
Contacting the bank with a request to block transactions for gaming services.
3. Transparency of spending.
Joint maintenance of the family budget.
Weekly expense reconciliations - capture variances and adjust limits.
5. Psychological and emotional support
1. Creating a trusting atmosphere.
No blame: Say "we're worried," not "you're guilty."
Actively listen: let me speak, ask clarifying questions.
2. Motivational conversations.
Focus on positive goals: family, health, career.
Remind of the progress made: every day without betting is a step towards freedom.
3. Support groups.
Anonymous Players (GA) - regular online and offline meetings.
Professional counseling - psychologists specializing in addictions.
6. Setting boundaries and consequences
| Face | Violation Action |
|---|---|
| Access to money | Withdrawal of cards, re-discussion of control conditions |
| Access to devices | Time limit on smartphone/computer |
| Violation of verbal agreements | Suspension of privileges (hobbies, entertainment) |
Clear rules. Write and sign together.
Consistency. All family members support one solution.
7. Alternative activities and rebuilding trust
1. Collaborative activities.
Sports: running, swimming, fitness club.
Creativity: painting, crafts, music.
2. Professional courses.
Cooking, foreign languages, IT training.
Volunteer projects - a sense of benefit and a new social role.
3. Gradual expansion of the range of interests.
New hobbies, participation in hobby clubs.
Support for relatives in the first steps: together for the first lesson.
8. Self-care for family members
1. Own emotional unloading.
Individualized therapy or support groups for relatives.
2. Correct balance of care.
Clearly separate time: support for the dependent and your own needs.
3. Information hygiene.
Limit the flow of alarming betting news to reduce emotional strain.
9. When to contact professionals
1. Repeated breakdowns. If the dependent returns to the game despite all measures.
2. Threat to life or health. Suicidal thoughts, serious debts, abuse of loans.
3. Associated disorders. Depression, anxiety or panic attacks, alcohol/drug dependence.
Where to go: public clinics, private psychotherapists, hotlines (24/7), online platforms with licensed specialists.
10. Final Action Plan
1. Recognize signs and collect facts.
2. Organize a trusted support team.
3. Conduct a structured family intervention.
4. Introduce financial restrictions and controls.
5. Provide emotional support and psychotherapy.
6. Set clear boundaries and consequences.
7. Offer alternative activities and restore trust.
8. Monitor your own condition and, if necessary, connect professionals.
The systemic and coordinated approach of loved ones is the key to bringing a person out of gaming addiction. Consistent steps, clear rules and unconditional emotional support will help return the balance to the life of the family and return the dependent to a full, free life.
