Checklist
Signs of problem gambling: a private look at your own play
The main signs of problem gambling are spending more than you can afford, chasing losses, needing bigger stakes for the same buzz, borrowing or selling things to play, and feeling guilty, stressed or out of control about it. SARGF's own screening questions cover these. If several fit, call 0800 006 008.
The warning signs SARGF asks about
SARGF's warning-signs page is a short set of screening questions. Here they are in plain words, with what each can look like on a casino site.
| Sign | What it can look like |
|---|---|
| Spending more than you can afford to lose | Deposits that come out of money meant for rent, food, transport or school costs |
| Needing bigger amounts for the same excitement | Stakes creeping up because small bets feel flat |
| Going back to win back losses | Logging in the next day, or later the same night, to “get it back” |
| Borrowing to play | A loan, an overdraft, a credit card or money from friends going into the cashier |
| Selling things to play | A phone, jewellery or household goods sold to fund deposits |
| Feeling it may be out of control | Sessions running far past the time you planned, again and again |
| Stress, anxiety or health problems | Poor sleep, a knot in the stomach on payday, irritability when you cannot play |
| Criticism from other people | A partner, parent or friend raising your gambling, and you brushing it off |
| Money problems caused by gambling | Missed debit orders, arrears, or leaning on payday to cover last month |
| Guilt about how you gamble | Hiding the amount, deleting messages or feeling low after a session |
The left column paraphrases the questions on SARGF's warning-signs page; the right column is our own illustration.
One sign on its own proves nothing. What matters is the pattern: how many of these show up, how often, and whether they are becoming more frequent. SARGF's screening asks how often each one happens, from never to almost always, rather than asking for a simple yes or no.
Take the private self-check
Tick anything that has been true in the last few months. Nothing is saved or sent.
You ticked 0 of 12.
No ticks
No ticks right now. Keep the habits that help: a budget set before you play, a deposit limit held by Springbok, and regular days off. Come back if anything changes.
1 or more ticks
One or two ticks. Worth noticing, not panicking over. Bring your spending down with a deposit limit, watch the next few weeks, and talk to someone if the ticks grow.
3 or more ticks
Three or more ticks. This is a good moment to talk to a counsellor. A call to 0800 006 008 or a WhatsApp to 076 675 0710 is free and confidential, and you decide what happens next.
6 or more ticks
Six or more ticks. Please reach out today. Consider asking Springbok for a self-exclusion break while you get support, and call 0800 006 008.
Your answers stay on this screen. Nothing is saved or sent.
Signs other people notice first
Family, friends and colleagues may see the change before the person who gambles does.
SARGF's FAQs describe what the people around a gambler tend to pick up on. If you are worried about someone, these are the changes to watch for:
- pulling away from people and plans they used to enjoy;
- seeming tired much of the time;
- asking for money or loans, sometimes with vague reasons;
- sounding lost or hopeless;
- seeming worried or agitated without an obvious cause;
- spending long stretches away from home.
With online play the same pattern can look different: long hours on a phone behind a closed door, rather than long hours out of the house.
If you recognise someone close to you here, you can call 0800 006 008 about them, for yourself. Our guide to helping a family member who gambles covers how to start that conversation.
Thoughts that hide the signs
Some of the strongest warning signs are not actions but the stories we tell ourselves.
| The story | A more honest version |
|---|---|
| “I'm only playing with winnings.” | Winnings are your money the moment they land. Staking them is spending. |
| “I'm due a win after this run.” | Each spin or hand is independent. A losing streak does not make a win more likely. |
| “I'll stop once I'm back to even.” | Chasing is how a bad night becomes a bad month. The loss is already spent. |
| “It's just how I unwind.” | If it is the only way you unwind, or you feel worse afterwards, it is doing more than relaxing you. |
| “It's only small amounts.” | Small, frequent deposits can add up to more than one large one. Check the monthly total. |
Notice which of these you have said, even silently, in the last month. It can tell you more than any single deposit does.
Try a two-week gambling log
Memory is generous. A written log is not.
If you are unsure whether the signs apply to you, keep a simple log for two weeks. Write each session down as soon as it ends, not the next morning, and include the days you did not play.
| Day | Deposited | Time played | Mood before | Mood after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | R100 | 40 minutes | Bored | Flat |
| Friday | R300 | 2 hours | Stressed after work | Annoyed, wanted to go again |
| Saturday | R200 | 1 hour | Restless | Guilty |
| Sunday | R0 | None | Calm | Calm |
Two weeks of honest rows show your real spend, your real session length, and which moods send you to the lobby.
At the end of the fortnight, add up the deposits and double the total for a rough monthly figure. Compare it with what you could afford to lose; the gambling budget planner helps with that sum.
What to do next
Match the step to what you noticed.
Questions people ask
What are the signs of problem gambling?
The main ones are spending more than you can afford, chasing losses, needing bigger stakes for the same excitement, borrowing or selling things to play, money trouble, and feeling guilty, anxious or out of control. SARGF's screening questions cover all of these.
Is chasing losses a sign of problem gambling?
Yes. Going back to win back money you lost is one of the questions on SARGF's warning-signs page. It turns a single loss into a pattern, which is why it is worth acting on early.
Can it be a problem if I only play small amounts?
Yes. The signs are about the effect on your money, mood and relationships, not the size of each deposit. Small, frequent deposits can still add up to more than you can afford.
Is this self-check a diagnosis?
No. It is a private prompt based on the themes of SARGF's questions. Only a qualified counsellor can assess where you stand; the NRGP on 0800 006 008 is free and confidential.
What should I do if I see these signs in someone else?
Pick a calm moment, describe what you have noticed without blame, and call 0800 006 008 for advice yourself. SARGF says family members can get support.
Sources
Each fact on this page was read on the source's own website on the date shown. Springbok's statements are its own claims about its service.
- South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF): warning signs and screening questions checked 11 October 2026
- South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF): FAQs (signs family and friends notice) checked 11 October 2026
- South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF): self-screening tool checked 11 October 2026
- South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF): contact page checked 9 October 2026
- South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF): counselling page checked 9 October 2026
- South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF): treatment page checked 9 October 2026
- South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG): home page checked 9 October 2026
- Springbok Casino: Responsible Gaming page checked 9 October 2026