What do you do if you are married to someone who is caught up into gambling (and might even be going down the downhill slope of gambling away your marriage, family relationship, your home and everything you own and treasure)?

What if YOU are the gambler who is caught up in this type of behavior?

These are two questions we’d like to address in this article that we pray can help you in some way. We know this is a tall order and that we can only scratch the surface of the subject. But because of the seriousness of this problem, we know it’s important to do what we can to help those who are overwhelmed by it all.

We don’t want to approach this subject as if we are the experts here at Marriage Missions advising you, because frankly, we have very little experience in this area of marriage even though we personally know of several couples that have/are dealing with this issue. Instead, we will facilitate within this article, the opportunity for others who are more experienced to share what they have learned.

First, lets look at gambling in general to give you information that you might find helpful. We’d then like to address the person who is married to the gambler (and other family members and friends) and the gambler as well.

One of the “truths” concerning gambling that we didn’t know was brought up in an article put together by Ronald A. Reno which is posted on the Troubledwith.com web site. He wrote:

“A University of Nebraska Medical Center study concluded that problem gambling is as much a risk factor for domestic violence as alcohol abuse. Domestic violence murders in at least 11 states have been traced to gambling problems since 1996.”

To read more, please click onto the link below to read:

• GAMBLING’S IMPACT ON FAMILIES

Another article written by Ronald Reno (and posted on the Troubledwith.com web site) brings out the scriptural reasons why gambling isn’t something we should indulge in. He brings out the point:

“Jesus commanded, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Mark 12:31). Gambling, meanwhile, is predicated on the losses, pain, and suffering of others. For one to win at gambling, others must lose. For many, the ramifications attributable to their gambling losses are profound. Families touched by a gambling addiction are at greatly increased risk for such negative outcomes as divorce, bankruptcy, child abuse, domestic violence, crime, and suicide.”

Besides that point, the articles brings out others as well, with scriptures to support them. To find out more, please click onto the link below to read:

• GOD AND GAMBLING

After you recognize that there is a gambling problem going on within your family and that gambling can grow in its negative impact, what can the family do about it? FamilyLifeCanada.org has an interesting article posted on their web site that brings out the important point:

“There’s the failure of the non-addicted spouse and other family members to respond appropriately and helpfully to the situation. Now, don’t get me wrong on this. I understand that the person with the addiction is the one who must ultimately take responsibility and make the changes to get healthy. If you are the supportive spouse, I am not suggesting that you are responsible for the addiction or the havoc it’s wreaking in your home.

“I am suggesting, however, that the way in which you respond can either create an environment that will help your spouse beat their addiction, or it can contribute to and compound the problem.”

To find out more, please click onto the link below to read:

• TIPTOEING AROUND ADDICTIONS

In our search for additional help for those who are being impacted by the negative effects of gambling upon their lives, we found the following to be something that you may want to research and possibly use in some way. The authors wrote:

“Because of the involvement of a family member, our hearts have been drawn to the Christian Recovery of Compulsive Gambling and Gambling Addiction. After doing considerable research on the internet on compulsive gambling and participating in the Recovery Process (Gambler’s Anonymous) with a loved one in a Support Group (Gamanon), we would like to share what we have found with all who visit this web site.”

To take advantage of what they offer, whether you are a family member, friend or someone who is dealing with your own gambling issues, please click onto the following web site link:

• IS GAMBLING A PROBLEM? Gambling Addiction Information

Something that would be good for the gambler to consider is written by Gregory L. Jantz and is posted on the NewLife.com web site. Please click onto the link below to read:

• 14 QUESTIONS EVERY GAMBLER SHOULD ASK

From the ministry of Settingcaptivesfree.com the following article offers a tool “written by those who were, themselves, captive to gambling and who are now free indeed.” To read about it and consider if it is something you should use, please click onto the link below to read:

• HIGHER STAKES: Freedom From Gambling and Betting

And if you think that it’s only those who are younger that are having problems in this area of life, think again. The ministry of Focus on the Family put together a great series of articles aimed to help those who are living out the years of “Midlife and Beyond” — those who are betting their life savings away hoping to obtain more to live on in their growing years. To read the first of the series and then continue on to the other articles they offer on this subject, please click onto the link below to read:

• GAMBLING AND SENIORS

We hope you have found this article to be helpful. We encourage you to “Join the Discussion” below if you have further insights, prayer requests concerning this issue, and encouraging help for those who need it.

This article was compiled by Cindy Wright of Marriage Missions International.