• Make it routine practice to talk about gambling with every person seeking your assistance.
• Establish a rapport that invites disclosure and motivates change.
• Be alert to the signs and indicators of problem gambling.
• Make information on problem gambling available and link people to specialized services.
• Explore clients’ concerns and provide accurate information about problem gambling counselling, emphasizing the benefits of counselling.
• Help clients develop workable budgets and manage their debts in ways that relieve financial pressure. This reduces an important gambling trigger.
• Help clients and their families protect their remaining assets from further gambling losses.

Gambling problems share many similarities with other addictive disorders. However, there are no visible signs or physical changes that will directly indicate a gambling problem.

Here are common signs of problem gambling that helping professionals may identify in clients. While you may see individual signs in clients who do not have gambling problems, when a client exhibits a large number of signs—and an overall pattern of problems—the possibility that gambling is a problem should be explored further.

The client:

• stops doing things he or she previously enjoyed
• misses family events
• changes patterns of sleep, eating or sex
• ignores self-care, work, school or family tasks
• has conflicts over money with other people
• uses alcohol or other drugs more often
• leaves children alone, seems less concerned about who looks after them, neglects their basic care
• thinks and talks about gambling all the time
• is less willing to spend money on things other than gambling
• cheats or steals to get the money to gamble or pay debts
• has legal problems related to gambling
• is often late for work or school
• organizes staff pools
• is gone for long, unexplained periods of time
• neglects personal responsibilities.

The client:

• withdraws from family and friends
• seems far away, anxious or has difficulty paying attention
• has mood swings and sudden outbursts of anger
• complains of boredom or restlessness
• seems depressed or suicidal.

The client:

• frequently borrows money or asks for salary advances
• takes a second job without a change in finances
• cashes in savings accounts, RRSP's or insurance plans
• alternates between being broke and flashing money
• family members complain that valuables and appliances are disappearing, or money is missing from a bank account or wallet.

The client complains of stress-related health problems, such as:

• headaches
• stomach and bowel problems
• difficulty sleeping
• overeating, or loss of appetite.

Establish a rapport that invites disclosure and motivates change. Shame, embarrassment or fear of disclosure may keep people who gamble from revealing the true nature of their problems. The challenge is to provide a safe and supportive environment that will facilitate disclosure in a manner that will allow you to address concerns and link people to appropriate help.

It is rarely helpful to ask directly “Are you having a problem with gambling?” Some clients may not have insight into how their problems are associated with gambling. For other clients, this blunt approach may lead to a defensive response and leave the client unwilling to explore the issue further.

There are, however, a number of ways you can ask gambling questions as a routine part of your assessment process.

• Ask about recreational activities: “What do you do for fun? Do you go to the movies, night clubs, or the racetracks?” “Do you ever go to casinos or other gambling venues?” When asking questions, assume that your client participates in some type of gambling: “How often do you buy lottery tickets?” Avoid moral judgments.
• “How much time and money do you spend on these activities?” You may find it difficult to ask clients about how they spend their money if this is not what you usually do. Many North Americans believe that it is rude to ask other people about money. You can assure your clients that problems with gambling are common and so you ask all people seeking your assistance about it.
• If you identify gambling as a concern, ask about debts to employers, family, friends, co-workers, casinos, bookies or loan sharks. Ask if RRSP's or savings have been cashed in to cover gambling losses. This will let you know whether the client should consider financial counselling.
• Consider using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) which is provided in this guide.
• If you suspect that a client is having problems with gambling, keep relevant print information on gambling counselling in the client’s file and offer information at opportune times. Problem Gambling: A Guide for Helping Professionals