As if the economic downturn hasn’t given us enough to worry about, now experts are expecting a dramatic rise in problem gambling! Bill Eadington, the director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming, says that six out of 100 adults are at high risk for gambling problems. However, when times get tough, more people tend to gamble, and veteran gamblers tend to bet more. In fact, people who are desperate because of record layoffs, home foreclosures, and failing investments may turn to gambling as a last resort to rescue them from financial ruin – which almost never happens. Also, according to MSNBC Health, we’re in the midst of peak gambling season right now, which runs from the Super Bowl through March Madness, the month-long college basketball tournament. Last year alone, March Madness bets exceeded $238 million – and that didn’t include informal office pools. So, how can you tell if you have a gambling problem? Ask yourself these questions, courtesy of Gamblers Anonymous:

1. How To Tell If You Have Gambling Problems
2. How Can You Tell If You Have A Gambling Problem
3. How To Determine If You Have A Gambling Problem

We have already mentioned the basic definition of problem gambling in the first paragraph of the article. Problem gambling is the urge to gamble continuously in spite of its harmful or negative consequences, or the inability to stop gambling even when you know you should. Gambling can be a bit of fun, but if it becomes compulsive or involves significant loss of money or property, it is considered an addiction and a mental health problem. After diagnosis, treatment. I guess that means I do gamble, but I don't have what I would personaly call a gambling problem as I do not allow myself to go overbudget so to speak. I currently have 409 crowns left (that is counting watching twitch for free crates whenever drops are active).

• Have you ever lost time from work or school because of gambling?
• Has gambling damaged your reputation?
• Have you ever felt guilty afterwards because of the money you lost?
• Have you ever gambled to get money to pay your debts or solve a financial problem?
• After losing, did you feel you had to return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
• Have you ever borrowed money, sold anything or stolen anything to finance your gambling?
• Do you ever have an urge to gamble when you’re worried, bored, lonely, angry, frustrated, or disappointed?

How To Tell If You Have Gambling Problems

How Can You Tell If You Have A Gambling Problem

How To Determine If You Have A Gambling Problem

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may need help. Check out the Gamblers Anonymous website to find a meeting near you.