Gambling addiction: the warning signs to look out for  

A big win can give the impression that your luck has finally turned. It can also mark the start of a dangerous relationship with gambling. François Mertens, a psychologist specialising in addiction at the non-profit organisation Pelican, urges gamblers to keep an eye on three simple indicators: the money spent, the time spent gambling and the frequency of bets.  

When losses become impossible to admit  

In the minds of many gamblers, a big win represents the best possible scenario. Yet this moment can become a trigger for addiction.  

Appearing on 14 July 2026 on RTBF’s programme Le 6-8, François Mertens explained that an initial big win triggers a particularly powerful mix of emotions. The gambler feels lucky. They may also believe they possess a special ability to predict an outcome or choose the right moment to place a bet.  

“All games of chance and gambling are ultimately designed to generate a profit for the operator, not for the person playing,” François Mertens emphasises, however. 

This reality stands in contrast to the hope fuelled by that first win. Even after several losses, the gambler may remain convinced that another win will soon make up for the money lost. The stronger the memory of the win, the harder it can be to accept that the outcome is not down to personal control.  

“When you win, it’s easy to talk about it. When you lose, shame and guilt often drive players to isolate themselves,” explains François Mertens.  

This isolation poses a danger. The gambler no longer merely hides their losses. They may also conceal the time spent gambling, the new sums staked or the repeated attempts to recoup the money lost. Financial difficulties can then be accompanied by family tensions and negative emotions.  

The chase to recoup losses fuels the vicious circle  

After the excitement of the first winnings, a less favourable period often follows. Losses begin to mount and the gambler is faced with a decision: to stop or to try to win back their money. It is in choosing the latter that the trap can snap shut. A new stake is placed to recoup the previous loss. When this is lost, the amount to be recouped increases. The gambler may then gamble more, for longer or more frequently. Each failure becomes another reason to start again. 

According to François Mertens, the alternation between wins and losses is one of the key psychological mechanisms underlying addiction. A win sustains hope. A loss creates a sense of urgency. Together, they can trap a person in a behaviour they no longer control.  

Three questions to assess your gambling behaviour  

To recognise a loss of control, François Mertens suggests starting with a simple and honest self-assessment. Three questions help to examine the main aspects of gambling behaviour.  

Am I gambling too much money?  

The answer does not depend solely on the total amount staked. A sum may seem small to one person but represent a major problem for another. The key is to determine whether the money at stake exceeds what the gambler can reasonably afford to lose.  

Am I gambling for too long?  

Problematic gambling can take up an increasing amount of time in daily life. The time spent placing bets or checking results can encroach on family, social or professional life. The gambler may also continue for longer than intended, even when they had decided to stop.  

Am I gambling too often?  

An increase in the number of bets or gambling sessions is another important indicator. Certain high-profile sporting events, such as a World Cup, can lead to an increase in the frequency of betting. What starts as a one-off occasion can then become a lasting habit. 

These three questions are no substitute for professional support. However, they do offer an initial point of reference. When someone answers ‘yes’ to any one of them, they already have a serious reason to take a closer look at their behaviour and talk about it.  

Seeking help before things get out of hand  

The initial consequences of problematic gambling should not be downplayed. Repeated financial losses, conflicts with loved ones or the emergence of negative emotions are already sufficient reasons to seek advice.  

Waiting until the situation becomes extreme risks allowing the behaviour to become entrenched. The person may get used to hiding their losses, finding new excuses or continually putting off the decision to stop.  

In Belgium, the non-profit organisation Pelican provides a free and anonymous platform, accessible at joueurs.aide-en-ligne.be. Players can complete a self-assessment questionnaire there to examine their gambling habits. A twelve-week programme of psychological support can also be offered by telephone or via text messaging. The service is free and anonymous, designed to make it easier to take that first step.  

No profile is completely immune  

Gambling addiction is sometimes associated with a specific type of gambler. This perception is misleading.  

“All types of gamblers are at risk of gambling addiction,” points out François Mertens. 

Some people, however, are more exposed to or more vulnerable to the mechanisms of gambling.  

Minors are particularly susceptible to advertising and messages that portray gambling as a rewarding or everyday activity. People who have already lost control of their gambling behaviour also remain particularly vulnerable. Financial insecurity can increase the risk. Someone facing financial difficulties may see gambling as a way to quickly improve their situation.   

In this context, François Mertens welcomes the significant reduction in gambling advertising decided upon by the Belgian authorities. This restriction is aimed, in particular, at reducing the exposure of the most vulnerable groups.  

A relapse does not undo the progress made  

Recovery from addiction does not always follow a linear path. A person may cut down on or stop gambling, only to start again. Such a relapse does not necessarily mean that all the work done previously has been lost.  

François Mertens points out that recovery is rarely linear. Over time, the person learns to better identify the situations that trigger their urge to gamble. They gradually come to understand the mechanisms that lead them to carry on despite their losses. 

Each step can help to develop new ways of protecting oneself. The gambler can learn to recognise a dangerous thought at an earlier stage, such as the certainty that an upcoming win will make up for previous losses, or the feeling that they have now mastered chance.  

A simple recommendation: break the silence  

The money spent, the time devoted to gambling and the frequency of bets are three indicators accessible to everyone. They can reveal that an activity presented as occasional is now taking up too much of a person’s life.  

François Mertens’ key advice can be summed up in two words:  

“Talk about it.”