Limpopo Gambling Board Final

3. Excessive Gambling can affect: a) Personal life

When you are a problem gambler you may end up feeling depressed, lonely and isolated from family and friends. A problem gambler may gamble to escape pressures or conflict.

b) Family life

Relationships can suffer as a result of excessive gambling. Family members may also lie to keep the extent of gambling a secret.

c) Financial situation

A compulsive gambler would: ➣

Borrow money to maintain his/her lifestyle and gambling habits.

Gamble until all the money is gone.

➣

Gamble to chase losses, even when in debt.

➣

➣ Experience financial difficulties possibly leading to legal problems.

d) Work life

Preoccupation with gambling can result in the loss of concentration at work, lost time from work due to gambling and working long hours to obtain money to gamble.

e) Health

Stress-related illness, such as headaches, back pain, inability to sleep, mood swings and hypertension can develop as a result of problem gambling. Loss of control over gambling can trigger feelings of guilt and desperation which can lead to thoughts of suicide.

f) Values

When you are a problem gambler you can compromise your values by lying about the amount of time and money spent on gambling.

g)

Social life

A compulsive gambler would prefer to gamble alone and as a result have little or no time for socialising. Social life may also be affected when a compulsive gambler avoids friends who have lent money.

LIMPOPO GAMBLING BOARD 2022/23

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