Problem gambling develops gradually and often in ways that are not immediately obvious to the individual experiencing it. Being aware of the warning signs — both in yourself and in people you care about — is the first step toward getting things back under control. The following indicators may suggest that gambling has moved beyond entertainment and is becoming a problem:
Spending more money on gambling than you can afford to lose, or chasing losses with larger bets
Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when you are not able to gamble
Neglecting work, family, or social obligations because of time or money spent gambling
Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling activity
Lying to friends or family about the amount of time or money you are spending on gambling
Feeling that you need to gamble with increasingly large amounts to experience the same level of excitement
Making repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back on or stop gambling
Gambling as a way to escape stress, anxiety, depression, or other difficult feelings
If any of these signs apply to you: You are not alone, and help is available. The first step is acknowledging the concern. Contact the puji 9 support team to activate a time-out or self-exclusion, or reach out to a mental health professional or gambling support organisation in Bangladesh.
It can also be helpful to take an honest look at your gambling habits using the self-assessment questions below. Answer each question as honestly as you can — these are for your benefit only and your responses are not shared with puji 9 unless you choose to discuss them with our support team.
Quick Self-Assessment
- Have you ever taken time off work or school due to gambling?
- Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy or caused arguments with family?
- Has gambling affected your reputation, career, or relationships?
- Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
- Have you gambled to pay debts or solve financial difficulties?
- After losing, have you felt you must return as soon as possible to win back your losses?
- Have you borrowed money to finance gambling and not repaid it?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, we encourage you to use one or more of the player protection tools described in the next section, and to seek support through the resources listed in Section 6 of this page.