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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

  1. Recognize loss-chasing as a well-documented warning sign, not a normal recovery approach
  2. Reach out to a confidential problem gambling support helpline or service in your country
  3. Use self-exclusion tools and bank-level gambling transaction blocks
  4. Talk to a trusted family member or friend about what's happening financially
  5. Avoid taking on new credit, loans, or advances specifically to keep gambling
  6. 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.

Sources