Thinking Traps and Chasing: A Free CBT Worksheet for Gambling Beliefs
Behavioural Addiction · CBT · Practice-informed
A CBT worksheet for common gambling beliefs. The client ticks familiar traps, tests one against the odds and their own log, writes a more balanced thought and rates belief before and after, then plans what to do when the chase begins.
Underlying mechanism: Cognitive Restructuring of Gambling-Related Cognitions and Loss-Chasing
What it helps with
- Naming common gambling beliefs without shaming the client.
- Testing a belief against the odds and the client's own record.
- Understanding loss-chasing as a chain that can be interrupted.
- Rating belief strength so change can be seen.
How clinicians use it
- Use it at Session 4 with the client's own log in hand.
- Explain the house edge and independence of each event in everyday words.
- Ask the four questions on the sheet and write the balanced thought in the client's words.
- Say that these beliefs are understandable and that the games are designed to produce them.
Clinical Implementation Guide
- Tick the traps that sound familiar and pick one.
- Test it against the odds and the log.
- Write a balanced thought and re-rate the belief.
What the worksheet looks like
| The thought | Belief (0 to 100) | What my log and the odds say | A more balanced thought | Belief now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I am due a win | 80 | Each spin is a fresh event and my log shows I lose more than I win | Hope is a feeling and not a probability | 40 |
Clinical cautions
Not a diagnostic or risk-assessment tool. Ask directly about suicidal thinking at every session and follow local risk procedures, because suicidal thinking is a recognised risk in people with gambling problems. Deal with debt emergencies, coercion and financial abuse first, and refer to debt advice or legal services. Do not involve a concerned other if there is any sign of coercive control. Screen for alcohol and drug use, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder and trauma. Avoid shaming language. The National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) is free and open 24 hours a day on 0808 8020 133. Avoid arguing with beliefs. The balanced thought should be the client's own. Loss-chasing is a chain to understand and not a character flaw.
References
- Megnin-Viggars, O., Mavranezouli, I., Downing, B. C., Welton, N. J., Fricke, A., Francis, J., Reeves, T., Pilling, S., Bowden-Jones, H., Sahakian, B. J., Rahman, M. S., Dawson, R., Geel, A., & Gaskell, M. (2026). Psychological interventions for harmful gambling: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 15(3), 971-980. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2025.00445
- Siste, K., Sen, L. T., Murtani, B. J., Hanafi, E., Kusuma, K. S., Aryani, A., Tan, C., Nainggolan, F. D., Aida, N., & Setiawan, Y. (2026). A randomized double-blind sham-controlled preliminary study of a 5-week protocol of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for gambling disorder in Indonesia. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 24, 100722. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2026.100722
- Banzulu Bomba, D., Koffi Nkazi, M., Nguya Makonda, K., Badimanya Albert, C., Lusala Lutsasa, M., & Benangindu Kikumpa, J. (2026). Network structure of gambling-related cognitions and risk behaviors among sports bettors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A cross-sectional EBICglasso network analysis. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 24, 100746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2026.100746
Copyright and use in research
© 2026 Dr Richard Pomfret and Third Wave Therapy Tools. May be used in research with the author and site cited. Version 1.0, approved 20 October 2026, revised as the evidence develops.
Suggested citation (APA 7th edition): Pomfret, R. (2026). Calm the Chase: A CBT-anchored, shame-aware protocol for adults with harmful gambling (Version 1.0) [Therapist guide and worksheets]. Third Wave Therapy Tools. https://thirdwavetherapytools.com/
Part of
Calm the Chase
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