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The Daily Insight Hub

How do I deal with my parents gambling?

Author

Jackson Reed

Updated on February 03, 2026

Suggestions include:

  1. Inform the gambler of the negative impact that their gambling is having on you.
  2. Don’t try to take control of the gambler’s life.
  3. Let the gambler know you want to help.
  4. Relate to them as an equal person.
  5. Support them in their struggle, but don’t take on their burden.

How do I get my dad to stop gambling?

While you cannot force your dad to quit gambling, there are a few steps you can take that may help him acknowledge that he needs help:

  1. Quit enabling behaviors.
  2. Communicate your feelings openly and honestly.
  3. Tell your dad that you want to help him.
  4. Allow your dad to take responsibility for his behaviors.

Is gambling addiction inherited?

Gambling is linked to a gene that is passed on through generations and a new study claims that it is passed on to both sons and daughters alike. The study published in the June issue of Archives of General Psychiatry says, that genes rule at least 50 percent of a persons propensity to gamble irrespective of sex.

How are families affected by gambling?

Gambling problems affect intimate partners, as well as other family members including children, parents, siblings and grandparents. Impaired family relationships, emotional problems and financial difficulties are some of the most common impacts on family members of people with gambling problems.

What are the signs of a gambling addiction?

Symptoms

  • Being preoccupied with gambling, such as constantly planning how to get more gambling money.
  • Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same thrill.
  • Trying to control, cut back or stop gambling, without success.
  • Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down on gambling.

Is gambling unhealthy?

Problem gambling is harmful to psychological and physical health. People who live with this addiction may experience depression, migraine, distress, intestinal disorders, and other anxiety-related problems. As with other addictions, the consequences of gambling can lead to feelings of despondency and helplessness.

What is a gambling addiction?

Compulsive gambling, also called gambling disorder, is the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life. Gambling means that you’re willing to risk something you value in the hope of getting something of even greater value.

Is gambling addiction a mental illness?

A gambling addiction is a progressive addiction that can have many negative psychological, physical, and social repercussions. It is classed as an impulse-control disorder. It is included in the American Psychiatric Association (APA’s) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fifth edition (DSM-5).

What causes a gambling addiction?

What Causes an Addiction to Gambling? Many factors can contribute to a gambling addiction, including desperation for money, the desire to experience thrills and highs, the social status associated with being a successful gambler, and the entertaining atmosphere of the mainstream gambling scene.

What do parents need to know about gambling?

Of course, gambling operators must be held to account but so must social media platforms, broadcasters, sports authorities and the media – newspapers included. Beyond the commercial world, parents also need to talk to their children about the risks of gambling. Teachers should be discussing gambling with their students during PSHE classes.

How many children are addicted to gambling in UK?

This underlines the need to treat gambling in Britain as a serious public health issue. Children are growing up in a very different world to the one in which their parents did. The Gambling Commission reports that 450,000 11- to 16-year-olds are gambling an average of £16 per week.

Why do so many older Americans get hooked on gambling?

“Many of them are people who got into trouble after retiring and moving to a place where casinos are a big part of social life.” Compulsive gambling is linked to a range of serious health problems, including obesity, heart disease, intestinal problems, fibromyalgia, migraine, depression, insomnia and other stress-related disorders.

How does gambling addiction affect the family and why it must?

Even when the addiction comes to light and family members are aware of the problem, no amount of promises by the gambling addict to stop will make the condition go away. The pull of the addiction is far too strong and when it occurs, the gambler will be unable to resist.