Gambling is a socially acceptable activity for adults. You can find gambling activity everywhere such as: the six Casinos here in Maryland; Lottery scratch offs at your local convenience store; the monthly bingo game at the Church; March madness tournament pools each year at work; and even the weekly poker game at a friend’s house.
Gambling can be fun, but for some it can become a serious problem, even an addiction. An individual with a gambling problem will negatively affect 7-10 people within their immediate circle.
It’s never too early to begin a conversation about gambling with your whole family.
Below are conversation tips to get your started.
Note: Always begin the conversation in a calm, non-judgmental way and introduce open-ended questions to encourage dialogue.
Having the Conversation with Adults
(including family members, friends, and spouses).
- What do you like about gambling?
- Tell me about the first time you gambled or bet and won something.
- How do you balance gambling with other forms of entertainment?
- What part of your budget do you allocate to gambling?
- How would you know if gambling is getting out of control?
Having the Conversation with Children
- What is the most fun game that you and your friends like to play?
- How much do you think your friends bet/wager on sporting events like the March Madness Basketball Tournament or “The Big Game?”
- Why do you think adults like to go to the casino or bingo parlor or buy lottery tickets?
- Some people say that gambling can be addictive like drinking alcohol, or smoking or doing drugs: what would you say?
- How many advertisements have you seen that are about gambling?
Tips to Make the Conversation Less Difficult...
Having a conversation with someone who you think is gambling too much or whose gambling activity is out of control can be difficult. Remember that you can’t stop someone from gambling; only the individual can make that decision. But you can show concern.
- Begin the conversation in a calm, non-judgmental way.
- Let the person know that you care about them
- Tell them you’re concerned about how they are behaving when they gamble.
- Tell them and give them a specific example of what they have done: e.g., “I am upset because I see you doing things that are hurting our family.”
- Tell them how their behavior is affecting other members of the family (or other staff at work): e.g., “I am and our children are feeling ignored, isolated and worried about you.”
- After you have calmly communicated your concerns, what you have seen and what you feel, pause/stop – allow the person time to respond and listen with a non-judgmental attitude and posture.
- Rarely will the individual respond positively or without minimizing or denying there is a problem. The individual who gambles problematically usually will need time to consider what they have heard.
- Let the person know what you would like them to do.
- Let the person know what you are willing to do to help.
Get Help.
No Cost Treatment is Available for Anyone Wanting Help for a Gambling Problem
Counseling for gambling problems at no cost to Maryland residents is now available for anyone seeking help regardless of insurance coverage, financial status, or ability to pay.
1-800-GAMBLER
Call or text TODAY! 1-800-426-2537