Gambling can be a form of entertainment, but for some people it becomes difficult to control and starts to cause problems with money, relationships, work, school, or emotional well-being. This page explains what is Gambling Disorder (informally known as gambling addiction or problem gambling), the warning signs, and the available treatments.

What Is Gambling Disorder?

Gambling Disorder is a mental health condition involving persistent and recurrent gambling that becomes difficult to control and causes significant distress or problems in a person’s life. It is recognized as a behavioural addiction in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision.

Gambling can include sports betting, casino games, slot machines, poker, lotteries, online casino games, and other forms of wagering. Most people who gamble do not develop Gambling Disorder. Problem gambling is not determined simply by how much money someone loses; it is the overall pattern of gambling, difficulty controlling it, and the effects it has on daily life. 

What Are Gambling Disorder Symptoms?

• Gambling problems can look different from person-to-person. Some common gambling addiction signs include:

• Thinking about gambling frequently, planning the next opportunity to gamble, or thinking about previous gambling experiences

• Trying to cut back or stop but finding it difficult to do

• Gambling with increasing amounts of money to get the same level of excitement

• Chasing gambling losses (gambling again with the hope of winning back money that has been lost)

• Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, boredom, and other difficult emotions

• Gambling for longer than intended or spending more than planned

• Borrowing money, using credit, selling belongings, or experiencing debt because of gambling

• Hiding or minimizing gambling, losses, or financial problems from family or friends

• Gambling interfering with work, school, relationships, sleep, or other life responsibilities and basic needs

• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling

Having one of these Gambling Disorder symptoms does not automatically mean that a person has Gambling Disorder. However, if gambling is causing problems, seeking support is recommended.

How Common Is Gambling Disorder?

Gambling is common, while gambling problems are less common. A study that summarized the existing scientific literature found that 46.2% of adults had gambled in the previous 12 months and 1.41% met the study’s definition of problematic gambling. Estimates also vary substantially across countries, populations, and types of gambling. For example, evidence shows that sports betting addiction is on the rise in jurisdictions where it is legal and widely available. It is also important to remember that gambling-related harm exists on a spectrum; a person can experience debt, stress, relationship conflict, or other harms from gambling without meeting full diagnostic criteria for Gambling Disorder.

What Causes Gambling Disorder?

There is no single cause. Gambling Disorder can develop through an interaction of individual, social, and environmental factors. 

Online gambling addiction can create additional challenges because gambling may be available privately and continuously through a phone or computer. Digital payments can also make it easier to continue gambling without the same physical cues involved in using cash when gambling. Online gambling is also available 24/7 and can be accessed from anywhere.

How Is Gambling Disorder Assessed and Diagnosed?

A proper assessment involves understanding the person’s current difficulties and how gambling is affecting their life. This may include assessing types of gambling, how often and how long gambling sessions occur, how much money is involved, attempts to cut down, urges and triggers, whether or not losses are chased, gambling-related thoughts, financial and relational consequences, work or school functioning, emotional well-being, alcohol or other substance use, and previous attempts to change. 

Clinicians may also use brief screening questionnaires or more detailed assessment tools. A diagnosis is not based only on the amount of money lost; the overall pattern of gambling, symptoms, difficulty controlling gambling, persistence, and impacts on functioning are considered. 

What Treatments Work for Gambling Disorder?

There are evidence-based psychological treatments for gambling problems. Gambling addiction treatment is individualized: some people want to focus on how to stop gambling completely, while others initially want help reducing gambling, managing gambling urges and cravings, addressing financial or relationship harms, or building skills that support longer-term change.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most studied psychological treatments for Gambling Disorder. It can help to understand the situations that trigger gambling, recognize gambling-related thinking patterns, manage urges, develop alternative coping strategies, limit opportunities to gamble, and prepare for high-risk situations. 

A study that reviewed the effectiveness of CBT found evidence that the treatment reduced Gambling Disorder severity, frequency, and intensity at the end of treatment. Longer-term outcomes were less certain, which is one reason gambling relapse prevention and ongoing maintenance are important parts of treatment. 

Motivational Approaches

It is common to feel uncertain about making changes related to gambling. Motivational interviewing (MI) is another psychological treatment that can help people explore their own reasons for change, work through ambivalence, and identify goals that matter to them. MI can provide a nonjudgmental way to explore the advantages and disadvantages of changing, clarify personal goals, and identify reasons for making a change. It can be particularly useful when someone sees both benefits and problems associated with gambling. 

Medication

In Canada, there is currently no medication specifically approved as a treatment for Gambling Disorder. Some medications have been studied, but evidence on their treatment effectiveness remains limited. If another mental health condition is present, medication may sometimes be appropriate for that condition. 

What Can Recovery Look Like?

Recovery looks different for everyone. For some people, the goal is complete abstinence from gambling. Others may begin by reducing gambling, addressing urgent financial or relationship problems, or learning skills to manage urges and triggers. A return to gambling can happen during recovery and does not mean that change is impossible or unsustainable. It can be an opportunity to identify what contributed to the setback and strengthen the plan for future high-risk situations to prevent relapse in the future.

How Can Recovery Paths Psychology Centre Help?

Psychologists at Recovery Paths Psychology Centre can help you understand your gambling, identify factors that may be maintaining it, and develop practical strategies for change. You do not need to be certain that you have Gambling Disorder before reaching out or wait until you have lost a large amount of money. Getting help early can give you more options and may help prevent problems from becoming more severe. We will work with you to collaboratively develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs based on one or more of the following:

Assessment of Gambling Disorder

A psychological assessment to examine your gambling patterns, symptoms, impacts on daily life, motivation, and other relevant psychological or behavioural factors.

Psychoeducation

Understanding gambling, urges, triggers, and gambling-related thinking patterns.

CBT and skills-based treatment

Therapy focusing on learning strategies to manage gambling-related urges, change unhelpful thinking and behaviour, cope with emotions, and prevent relapse.

Motivational support

Therapy focusing initially on exploring uncertainty about making changes to your gambling and identifying personally meaningful goals.

Support for co-occurring concerns

Adults with Gambling Disorder may also experience anxiety, depression, substance use concerns, ADHD, relationship difficulties, financial stress, and other concerns. Integrated treatment can address these concerns alongside gambling.

Support for family members

Therapy focused on helping partners and loved ones understand gambling-related difficulties, establish boundaries, manage stress, and decide how they want to respond.

Contact Us to Learn More about the Psychological Services for Gambling Disorder at Recovery Paths Psychology Centre

Last updated: October 2026