How Do I Survive And Thrive?

When your child is struggling with gambling, it can feel heartbreaking, confusing, and isolating. You may carry worry, guilt, or even blame yourself — but it’s important to know you are not alone. Taking care of your own emotional well-being is just as vital as supporting your child. Reaching out for support, sharing your feelings with others who understand, and giving yourself compassion can help you find strength during this difficult time.

Protect Finances

It can be painful to consider, but when gambling takes hold, even a child you love and trust may resort to taking money to fund their play. Protecting your finances is not about mistrust—it’s about setting healthy boundaries and keeping your family secure. By safeguarding your finances, you’re not only protecting yourself but also reducing the opportunities for gambling to continue unchecked.

Separate accounts and limit access: Keep your personal, joint, and retirement accounts secure; avoid sharing PINs or passwords, and consider changing them now. You may need to close some accounts and cancel old credit card numbers if your child has ever had access to them.
Monitor financial activity: Regularly review bank statements, credit cards, and bills for unusual withdrawals or charges. Check with other family members about all charges, as sometimes one spouse thinks it is the other who completed the transactions.
Freeze your credit: Use all three credit monitoring sites – Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax – to freeze your credit, and possibly siblings’ credit, making it impossible for your child to take out credit in another family member’s name. If they are willing, it is a good idea to freeze the gambler’s credit as well.
Secure valuables: Be sure anything of value you have is inaccessible to your child. Gamblers sell things, even things of low monetary value, to fund their gambling. Watch for items that may have gone missing.
Take control of the gambler’s accounts: Gaining control of the gambler’s financial accounts can be an important step toward protecting them and preventing further harm. Access to money fuels the addiction, so setting limits—or temporarily taking over financial management—can help interrupt the gambling cycle. Consider setting up a True Link card for the gambler.

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You don't have to carry this alone.

Our Parents Standing Together community is a private space where parents of children struggling with gambling can ask questions, share what’s working (and what isn’t), and be with people who understand.

No advice from people who’ve never been through it. No judgment. Just parents who understand.

Blog Highlights:
Insights / Stories / Helpful Information

Online Sports Betting Child gambling-Parents Standing Together

Ways Young People Gamble – Part 2: Sports Betting

Teenager in therapy for problem gambling-Parents Standing Together

Finding Professional Support

Why Are Young Brains So Vulnerable to Gambling?

Support Groups for Parents

Why Attend Support Groups

Support group meetings are a safe and confidential space for parents and loved ones impacted by their children’s gambling to connect, ask questions, share experiences, and find strength in community. Parents Standing Together does not endorse any particular group or meeting; there are many to choose from and we believe everyone finds recovery in their own way.

Finding the Right Meeting for You

Meetings are an important part of the healing process—they remind us that we are not alone and that support is always within reach. Each group has its own feel, so you can try several meetings to find ones that feel most comfortable and helpful for you, and meet at times you can fit into your schedule. Wherever you begin, you’ll surely be met with compassion, understanding, and hope.

Where to Access Meetings

Parents Standing Together – parent meetings can be accessed by joining our Facebook support group page at facebook.com/groups/parentsstandingtogether. Talk to other parents who have been there and find a safe space to ask questions that you may have.
Gam-Anon – Gam-Anon is a 12-step fellowship offering free, anonymous support for families and friends affected by someone’s gambling. Through in-person and virtual meetings worldwide, members find mutual support and understanding—regardless of whether the gambler is seeking help. Visit gam-anon.org/meeting-directory to find meetings in your area, including virtual parent-specific groups
SMART Recovery – SMART Recovery is an evidence-based program grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps families build motivation, cope with urges, manage difficult emotions, and create balanced lives. Visit smartrecovery.org/family to find support meetings for family and friends.
Gamblers, Family and Friends In Recovery (GFFR) – GFFR provides a centralized directory of online recovery meetings, making it easy to find and connect with support worldwide. Visit gamblersinrecovery.com to search international meetings.

Join Our Facebook Community

You don't have to carry this alone.

No advice from people who’ve never been through it. No judgment. Just parents who understand.

Realizing your child may be struggling with gambling can feel overwhelming, frightening, and lonely — but you are not alone, and there is hope. Many parents have walked this road and found ways to help their children heal and rebuild trust. With understanding, support, and the right resources, recovery is possible. Reaching out for help is the first brave step toward healing — for your child, and for your family.