Help CenterThat’s a brave and important question to ask! The fact that you're asking it is already a strong, self-awareness step.
Gambling can be fun entertainment, but when it starts to affect your finances, emotions, or relationships, it might be a sign that things are getting out of balance.
🧠 Signs You Might Have a Gambling Problem
If you say “yes” to several of the following, it could mean you're at risk – or already experiencing – a gambling problem:
🎲 Behavioural Signs
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Do you gamble more often or with more money than you intended?
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Do you chase your losses (keep gambling to win back money)?
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Have you tried to cut back or stop, but couldn't?
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Do you feel restless or irritable when you try to stop?
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Do you find yourself hiding gambling activity from others?
💵 Financial Signs
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Are you borrowing money, using savings, or selling things to gamble?
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Are you falling behind on bills or essentials because of gambling?
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Do you feel pressure to win back what you've lost?
🧍♂️ Emotional & Social Signs
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Is gambling causing you stress, guilt, anxiety, or depression?
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Are your relationships suffering because of your gambling?
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Have you missed work, school, or social events due to gambling?
🧪 Self-Assessment Tools
You can take a quick, private quiz to assess your risk. These are short and confidential:
🇨🇦 Help Available in Alberta
You are not alone, and help is free, non-judgmental, and confidential.
💬 Talk to Someone:
GameSense
AGLC’s responsible gambling program, designed to give players tools and resources to make informed gambling choices. They can be reached through:
Phone: 1-833-447-7523 (available Tuesday-Wednesday from 10 am – 5 pm and Thursday-Saturday from 1pm – 8 pm)
Message them via their Contacts page found at https://gamesenseab.ca/contact-us.
CAMH: Canada’s leading mental health centre with support for gambling and addiction.
Phone: 416-535-8501 or 1-800-463-2338
Email: webmaster@problemgambling.ca
🌐 camh.ca
Alberta Gamblers Anonymous
A nonprofit organization, offering fellowship of people who share their experience with each other that discuss common problems and work towards recovery. Their meetings are available in person, virtually and hybrid.
🧘♀️What You Can Do Right Now
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Self-exclude from the site and consider enrolling in AGLC’s Centralized Self-exclusion program. If you would like to know more about the program and how to self-exclude centrally from all regulated online gambling in Alberta, visit https://www.selfexclusion.ca/s/ or call 1-844-468-8034.
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Talk to a trusted friend or family member
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Reach out to a counsellor or support group (even one conversation can help)
💛 Remember:
A gambling problem isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a treatable behavioural issue, and you have every reason – and every right – to seek support and take care of your well-being.