Being a compulsive gambler can harm your health and relationships, and leave you in serious debt.

The Jersey Gambling Commission is responsible for the regulation of gambling in the island they also have a social responsibility to work with licencees to avoid and reduce problems related to gambling. Their website provides more information and links to organisations aimed at helping people with gambling problems and addictions. 

If you have a problem with gambling and you'd like to stop, support and treatment is available.

Are you a problem gambler?

Try this questionnaire:

• Do you bet more than you can afford to lose?
• Do you need to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling?
• Have you tried to win back money you have lost (chasing losses)?
• Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
• Have you wondered whether you have a problem with gambling?
• Has your gambling caused you any health problems, including feelings of stress or anxiety?
• Have other people criticised your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem (regardless of whether or not you thought it was true)?
• Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?
• Have you ever felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?

Score 0 for each time you answer "never"
Score 1 for each time you answer "sometimes"
Score 2 for each time you answer "most of the time"
Score 3 for each time you answer "almost always"

If your total score is 8 or higher, you may be a problem gambler.

Help for problem gamblers

Treatment and support groups are available for people who want to stop gambling:

Gambling Therapy in association with the Jersey Gambling Commission offer free online practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by problem gambling residing in Jersey.

The Gordon Moody Association offers unique and intensive residential treatment programmes in the UK for those gamblers most severly addicted– email help@gordonmoody.org.uk or call 01384 241292 to find out more.

GamCare offers free information, support and counselling for problem gamblers in the UK. It runs the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) and also offers face-to-face counselling.

Gamblers Anonymous UK runs local support groups that use the same 12-step approach to recovery from addiction as Alcoholics Anonymous. There are also GamAnon support groups for friends and family - email info@gamblersanonymous.org.uk

Gamblers Anonymous Jersey Branch hold meetings each Monday at 5.30pm at St Paul’s Gate and their e-mail contact is: ga.jerseyci@gmail.com

Self-help tips for problem gamblers

Do:

• Pay important bills, such as your mortgage, on payday before you gamble
• Spend more time with family and friends who don't gamble
• Deal with your debts rather than ignoring them - visit the National Debtline for tips.
• Contact Jersey's Citizen's Advice who can offer help to people with manging their debt locally. 

Don't:

• View gambling as a way to make money - try to see it as entertainment instead
• bottle up your worries about your gambling – talk to someone
• Take credit cards with you when you go gambling

If you're affected by someone's gambling

If you're having problems because of another person's gambling, it's best to be honest with them about it. They need to know how their behaviour is affecting you.

You can make it clear to them that their gambling is affecting others, that they need to get help, that there is help available, and that it works.