I'm borrowing money to keep gambling and try to win back my losses — is this a sign of a bigger problem?
Yes — borrowing money specifically to gamble in an attempt to recover past losses ('chasing losses') is one of the clearest recognized warning signs of problem gambling, not a normal recovery strategy, and it's worth reaching out for support now.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Explanation
Chasing losses — increasing bets or borrowing money specifically to try to win back money already lost — is identified by problem gambling researchers and clinicians as one of the core diagnostic behaviors associated with gambling disorder, because it reflects a shift from gambling for entertainment toward gambling as an attempt to solve a financial problem it's actually making worse. The mathematics of gambling generally works against this strategy: increasing stakes to recover a loss increases the amount at risk without changing the underlying odds in your favor.
This pattern is also specifically targeted by predatory actors in the gambling ecosystem: some unlicensed platforms design VIP or loyalty programs to specifically identify and further incentivize players showing loss-chasing behavior, offering additional bonuses or credit precisely when a player is trying to recover losses, which can deepen financial harm rather than help.
Recognizing loss-chasing in your own behavior, or a family member's, is a meaningful moment to reach out to a problem gambling support service, which can offer confidential guidance regardless of how much has already been lost. This is a health and financial safety issue first, separate from whether any individual platform involved has behaved fairly.
Common red flags
- Borrowing money specifically to gamble and recover past losses
- Increasing bet sizes specifically because of a recent losing streak, not a change in genuine strategy
- Hiding gambling activity or borrowed money from family members
- Receiving unusually generous bonus offers or credit specifically after a losing session
- Feeling unable to stop despite recognizing the financial harm
- Using multiple platforms or credit sources to fund continued play after losses
What to do now
- Recognize loss-chasing as a well-documented warning sign, not a normal recovery approach
- Reach out to a confidential problem gambling support helpline or service in your country
- Use self-exclusion tools and bank-level gambling transaction blocks
- Talk to a trusted family member or friend about what's happening financially
- Avoid taking on new credit, loans, or advances specifically to keep gambling
- Consider that platforms offering extra incentives right after a loss may be exploiting this pattern rather than helping
Frequently asked questions
Is chasing losses always a sign of addiction?
It's one of the clearest recognized warning signs used in problem gambling screening tools, and recurring loss-chasing behavior is worth discussing with a support service even before it meets a full clinical threshold.
Where can I get confidential help?
Most countries have dedicated, confidential problem gambling helplines and support services that can help regardless of how much money has been lost or borrowed.