Protecting Your Money from a Spouse with Gambling Addiction
Published:
Oct 17, 2025
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10:23 a.m.
ET
When one partner struggles with a gambling addiction, the consequences ripple beyond the casino floor or betting app and often into sacred family life at home.
A spouse, sometimes completely unaware until it’s too late and the damage is done, can be left to rebuild the family’s finances, as well as their sense of trust, safety and stability.
Financial counselors are seeing more spouses seeking urgent help as legalized online betting expands nationwide. Families are left in crisis when hidden debts or what start as small “harmless” wagers quickly spiral into emptied accounts, past-due bills or even tax liens.
Experts caution that while the addiction itself requires treatment, protecting yourself financially must come first.
Financial guidance for spouses of individuals with gambling problems
When gambling takes control, partners often face uphill battles: managing emotional fallout and protecting what’s left of their finances. Here are some practical steps spouses can take to limit further harm and regain financial stability.
1) Freeze your credit and your children’s credit
This prevents the gambler from opening new credit lines or loans in your name. You can do this for free at financial service providers like Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and you can temporarily lift the freeze later if needed.
2) Review your credit report regularly
If you discover unpaid taxes, unauthorized accounts or collections calls tied to your identity, visit annualcreditreport.com to review reports from all three bureaus. Dispute any inaccuracies and document fraudulent activity with both the credit bureau and your local authorities.
3) File a police report if necessary
As painful as it may be, some experts in this space warn that many creditors will not consider you a true identity theft victim without a police report.
4) Restrict financial access
Change online banking passwords, lock up valuables and establish spending limits. Some couples use prepaid cards with small weekly amounts so the partner in recovery can practice responsible spending without full access to household funds.
5) Redirect direct deposits
If your spouse has used shared income for gambling or debt repayment, set up automatic transfers from joint-accounts to personal ones. This can help ensure bills and essentials are covered without impacts from potential gambling activity.
Each of these steps can feel uncomfortable. But as one expert from GamFin explains, “When addiction is involved, protection is not punishment. It’s the foundation for eventual recovery.”
Warning signs of gambling addiction in a partner or spouse
For many couples, the financial fallout doesn’t appear overnight because gambling addiction often begins with secrecy and denial. Recognizing the early warning signs may help prevent deeper harm.
Common red flags of a spouse’s gambling problem include:
Sudden financial secrecy or hidden transactions.
Unexplained debt or frequent borrowing.
Mood swings tied to gambling wins or losses.
Frequent absences, missed responsibilities or declining work performance.
Defensive reactions when asked about money or other finance-related topics.
Selling or pawning personal items.
Lying about financial matters.
Other indicators may include legal troubles, use of gambling as a form of stress relief and ongoing failed attempts to quit. The sooner any of these signs are addressed, the better the chance of preventing lasting damage.
Support for affected individuals, spouses of gambling addicts
Financial control is only one piece of the recovery puzzle. Emotional health, safety and professional guidance are equally important. But going beyond immediate financial repair, recovery from Gambling Disorder requires specialized treatment from the likes of Birches Health.
Birches Health provides insurance-covered, evidence-based treatment for gambling addiction, with certified clinicians who understand both the financial and emotional layers of recovery. Birches’ licensed providers help individuals and families rebuild stability, restore trust and begin healing from the damage gambling has caused.
If you or someone you love is struggling with gambling or the financial distress it causes, you’re not alone, and help is available today.
Take the first step toward recovery with Birches:
And for spouses and loved ones of problem gamblers, Birches offer specialized counseling for “affected individuals.” Additionally, we support other services, such as:
Gam-Anon: A 12-step program for spouses and family members of gamblers.
GamFin: Provides free financial counseling and budgeting support for families impacted by gambling.
