BETTER CHANGE STATESIDE
Signposting professional services Express your concerns in a practical and measured way. Pledge your commitment and support in helping them address their issues if they consider help in seeking professional treatment. Offer to help them make first contact and demonstrate empathy in recognising gambling problems can be a mental disorder and nothing to be ashamed of.
Offer hope People who suffer with gambling addictions have several professional health programs and gateways to reach out to. Those affected can and do recover. It is important a gambler knows they have healthy peer support to get them through treatment. Let the gambler know you want to help. They may feel out of control, embarrassed or ashamed. You can convey a willingness to support them.
But remember… You have the right to feel safe, and emotionally and financially secure. It is important to protect yourself from any harm that may arise from your family member or friend’s problem with gambling. ● You cannot force your family member or friend to acknowledge that their gambling is a problem.
● You cannot force them to stop gambling. ● No matter what you say or do, ultimately the only person who can stop gambling is the gambler.
● The gambling is the problem, not the person. ● You are not to blame for their behaviour.
Practical steps for family members If you are financially associated with a loved one who has a gambling disorder, then it is important to protect yourself as well. Signing yourself up to gambling blocking software such as Netnanny or Betblocker can be helpful, as well as looking into your own credit report accounts and financial history. Put blocks on your own bank cards and accounts - taking control of any joint accounts or even closing them down, as well as managing the household finances. Consider setting up new bank accounts to prioritise your
own financial security. In the long run this will help to protect your future, and anyone else’s who may be directly affected by the consequences of gambling addiction. ● Seek professional advice about how to protect your family’s assets and income.
● Do not lend the gambler money. ● Do not pay the gambler’s debts. ● Decide if you can manage the gambler’s money. If not, you may need to maintain separate bank accounts and credit cards.
● Remove your name from joint accounts to avoid inheriting the gambler’s debt. A gambling counsellor can help you avoid a bad credit history if you have joint credit or loans with the gambler.
● Take control of finances, for example, organise direct debits for bills, mortgages and regular debits, and limit access to cash.
● Budget and allow each member of the family some spending money, including the problem gambler.
● Check the mail yourself for bills. ● Keep records of all finances including assets, income, expenses, contributions and gifts.
● Photocopy (and keep in a safe place) copies of important documents such as house title, marriage and birth certificates, and tax file numbers.
● Don’t sign anything you don’t understand or are not prepared to pay for.
● Do not lend personal financial details or credit cards or share ‘pin’ numbers, or leave that information where it can be found. Everything we do at Better Change is to protect all
individuals from gambling related harm. We believe gambling can be a fun and enjoyable activity, and most people gamble as a legitimate form of entertainment. Protecting people can only be done by all industry
stakeholders collaborating to both increase player protection and change the perception of the industry. We welcome conversations with all stakeholders from operators to service providers. Let’s work out how we can change the conversation.
david@better-change.org
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OCTOBER 2022 29
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