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Gambling-related harm in the workplace

Learn how to prevent gambling-related harm in your workplace, recognise when employees may need support, and respond fairly and confidently.

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Recognising when someone may need support

Gambling-related harm is often hidden and may not be immediately apparent. The signs listed below should be viewed as possible indicators of a wellbeing concern rather than evidence of gambling-related harm.

Managers should not investigate or attempt to confirm gambling behaviour. Instead, they should approach any concerns sensitively, maintain confidentiality and focus on supporting the employee.

Possible indicators may include:

Changes in attendance or performance

Unexplained absence, lateness, difficulty concentrating, missed deadlines or more mistakes than usual.

Changes in wellbeing or behaviour

Distress, anxiety, irritability, tiredness, secrecy, withdrawal or frequent use of a phone or gambling websites during work.

Financial pressure

Requests for salary advances, repeated borrowing, difficulty with essential costs or concern about access to workplace money or accounts.

Impact from someone else’s gambling

Stress, financial difficulty, caring pressures or reduced wellbeing affecting a partner, family member, friend or colleague.

Begin with the observations you have made, have a sensitive and confidential conversation about wellbeing, and follow normal safeguarding or urgent-risk procedures if there are concerns about the employee’s safety or welfare.

Page last reviewed: 16th September 2026