Problem Gambling - A Guide for Families (PDF) - ProblemGambling.ca

Moving toward Change
himself or herself, or becoming violent to others. If this is
true for you, seek professional advice immediately before
taking action.
Putting the Family’s Money in Order
Money problems may be causing stress for your family. The
person with a gambling problem is responsible for helping to
solve these difficulties. But if the person is willing, it is best to
work on the problem together. For example, access to money
or credit is often a trigger for gambling. You can help by limiting
the amount of money he or she can get.
If the person is working to change, you can work together to:
• make a family budget
• carefully and openly track all family spending
• share all financial records and receipts with one another
• agree how much cash or credit the person should have, so he
or she is not tempted to gamble.
Here are some more suggestions for dealing with money:
• Think carefully about your own finances before you take on
the person’s debts.
• If you are lending money to pay bills, don’t give it directly to
the person. This can tempt the person to slip back into gambling.
Instead, pay the bills yourself.
• Offer to go with the person to problem gambling and credit
counselling.
• Set up a realistic family budget so the person doesn’t feel the
need to gamble to solve money problems.
• Get expert advice from a credit counsellor, bank manager or
lawyer before covering bad cheques, or co-signing loans or
other financial papers.
• Have a responsible and trusted person manage the person’s
money in the short term.
• Plan together how to limit the person’s access to money, until
his or her gambling is under control.
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