09/09/2026
If you suspect your partner may have a gambling addiction, this can feel really tough and overwhelming. An estimated 80 million adults worldwide experience a gambling disorder or problematic gambling, with thousands more harmed indirectly.
The good news is, if your partner is suffering gambling harm, there are ways you can help. In this blog, we go through some of the things you can do to support your partner, while looking after your own wellbeing.
Signs someone may have a gambling addiction
Of course, none of these is definitive of having a gambling problem, but they might help you notice if something isn’t right.
- Their finances seem sporadic, sometimes having a lot and other times being stressed about money
- Being protective and secretive over their phone
- Suddenly being unable to cover major living expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments
- Irregularities with your joint account (if you have one)
- Items or money disappearing from your home
- Hiding or being secretive about their bank statements
- Poor performance or issues at work
- They are asking you to borrow money with no indication of where it’s going
- Becoming defensive when asked about gambling
- Low mood, anxiety and loss of sleep
- Lying about where they’ve been
How to approach them
Opening up about any addiction will be a challenge, but a tough conversation now can be a huge help in their future. If they aren’t ready to talk now, give it some time and try again. Click here to read our blog on how to talk to someone about a possible gambling addiction.
Managing your finances
If your partner is struggling with gambling, it may be best to separate your finances initially to protect your financial wellbeing whilst they get help.
If your partner has borrowed money in your name and gambled with it, you do not need to pay it back yourself. Speak to Citizens Advice about how to challenge the debt and what steps you can take to protect your finances.
Helping someone manage their money can feel like a bit of a step backwards, but having that accountability can be really helpful. Sibstar are a debit card provider that allows you to have a ‘supporter’ who can see and manage outgoings, adding an extra layer of support.
If your partner is in debt, there are many organisations that can help. Click here to find out more.
Protecting your mental health
Never blame yourself. Gambling addiction has no physical symptoms, and with it being so accessible, it’s incredibly easy to hide. The best thing to do is create a safe space where your partner can open up. You can also encourage them to install Gamban, which blocks access to over 650,000 legal and illegal gambling sites.
You cannot support your partner if you’re burnt out. Setting boundaries to protect your own mental health is vital. Opening up to a trusted friend or family member can help take some of the mental load and make you feel less alone.
Addiction can make people lie and act in a completely different way to how they usually are. This can be extremely distressing for a partner, and that’s okay. You are allowed to have and express difficult emotions during this period, and you aren’t alone. GamFam is a charity set up by those who have experienced first-hand the devastating effects that gambling can have on family and friends. The online meetings are an opportunity to share your experiences in a safe space, with no fear of judgement and with others who have real empathy and understanding. Find out more here.
Relapsing
Relapsing can happen in gambling addiction and whilst it’s not the end of the world, it can be frustrating for loved ones. This doesn’t mean recovery isn’t possible, and it doesn’t mean you or your partner have failed. It’s simply part of the process of recovering from an addiction. Understand where and why things went wrong and put blockers like Gamban in place for the future.
Celebrating progress and moving forward
Recovery is possible for everyone. One of the best things you can do is help your partner celebrate their progress and reinforce all the reasons why they decided to stop gambling.
Setting small but realistic financial goals is a good driver of this. Go from smaller items to things like weekends away, which you can both look forward to.
Other resources
- Self-exclude from all the betting shops in your area here.
- Self-exclude from all UK casinos here.
- There is peer support and support with the criminal justice system available at GamLEARN.
- The Gamban Discord is another free, anonymous platform where you can get together with others to chat, play games, or just read what others have to say.
- Groups like Gamblers Anonymous might not work for everyone, but it's available worldwide and is a free, anonymous way to talk to others suffering from gambling harm.
