Gambling can have a damaging impact on people’s lives.
For some people, gambling can be harmful. It can damage their health and wellbeing, their relationships, and their finances. The harm can ripple out to their family, friends and the wider community.
People of any age, cultural background, from city or country areas, and low to high income earners can struggle with their gambling.
Signs of risky gambling include:
- spending more than you can afford
- losing track of time when gambling
- gambling to win back money – also known as chasing your losses
- feeling angry, irritated or distracted.
In 2018, around 10,000 South Australians engaged in high-risk gambling.
For every person involved in high-risk gambling, at least six others are affected.
This means the number of South Australians affected by someone’s high-risk gambling — including friends, families, workmates — would fill the Adelaide Oval.
Some of the harm caused by gambling is short-term — for example, you can’t afford to buy food for a few days. But some harm can stick around long after the gambling session ends, for example, a low credit rating harms your chances of getting a loan.
Help is always available if you are worried about your gambling, find out more at Get Support.