When a parent has an issue with their gambling

When a parent has an issue with their gambling it can change the way that those in the family feel about each other and themselves. It can also change the way you live.

Young people might experience:

• Missing out on activities such as sport, school excursions, camps or music lessons
• Not being able to buy new clothes or shoes when they're needed
• Not having enough food to eat
• Having to take on more of the "adult" responsibilities in the home, such as looking after younger children
• Increased arguments and tension in the home
• Family violence
• Family breakdown
• Homelessness

Young people might feel:

• A loss of trust because of lies, secrets and broken promises
• Unhappy because of arguments about gambling and money problems
• Loss of self-esteem
• Different to friends or isolated from them
• Ashamed, angry, lonely, powerless, guilty

What help is available?

It can be hard when someone close to you has a problem with gambling. Sometimes you will know that the cause of the problem is gambling, or you might just have a sense that "something is wrong", but you're not quite sure what to say or do about it.

You could think about talking to:

• A friend or family member
• Your doctor
• A teacher or student welfare coordinator
• A youth worker or social worker at a community health centre
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 FREECALL, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Gambler's Help: 1800 858 858 FREECALL, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Gambling Help online, at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If someone in your family has a gambling problem, remember:

• You are not to blame for their behaviour
• The gambling is the problem, not the person
• You can't force your family member to stop
• You can tell someone you trust about what's happening. This is not betraying your family
• You can help by saying "No" to gambling and lying, and "Yes" I care about you
• You have the right to feel safe
• You have the right to feel emotionally and financially secure

Gambler's Help is free, confidential and won't appear on your home phone bill. Call 1800 56 789 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au for help and advice now.

• Email to a friend