The definition of gambling problem, addiction or disorder varies in different countries and sources. American Psychiatric Association (APA) calls it gambling disorder and defines it as follows: “gambling disorder involves repeated gambling behavior that causes significant problems or distress”.

According to APA, a diagnosis of gambling disorder requires at least four of the following during past year:

1. Need to gamble with increasing amount of money to achieve the desired excitement
2. Restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling
3. Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling
4. Frequent thoughts about gambling (such as reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next gambling venture, thinking of ways to get money to gamble)
5. Often gambling when feeling distressed
6. After losing money gambling, often returning to get even (referred to as “chasing one’s losses)
7. Lying to conceal gambling activity
8. Jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job or educational/career opportunity because of gambling
9. Relying on others to help with problems caused by gambling
   
   

If you have felt or done any of the above, you might need to take control of your gambling. BeGambleAware has an anonymous online test you can try to get further indication of your gambling habits.