Read our in-depth guide on what you should do if you suspect you or someone you know might suffer from gambling addiction.
Please note that we are not medical professionals and you should consult a professional if possible.
<div class="callout warning"> <p>Disclaimer: We are no medical or psychological experts, and the following information has been compiled from many different sources to present as full an overview of the topic as possible. Our sources are listed at the bottom for further information.</p> </div>
Whilst gambling or betting is a fun hobby for many people, it can have negative effects on some. Problematic gambling behaviour can affect almost anyone, no matter your age, gender, education, or social background.
Gambling comes in many different forms. The most well-known and obvious forms of gambling are betting on sports or playing casino games, including slots, roulette, poker and many other games that involve real money stakes.
Playing the lottery, bingo or even scratch cards are also forms of gambling, however, that may be overlooked by some, and a large portion of the population (just about anywhere in the world) has partaken in these before. Whether you have tried your luck at a Powerball (in the US) or Eurojackpot (in Europe) game before or grabbed a quick scratch card just to see what might happen – you have gambled.
Most people have fun doing this, shrug their shoulders over a loss, and simply move on. But some people keep coming back after a loss to try and win instead, or they have enjoyed a win a little too much and want to repeat this “high”, and thus keep gambling beyond their means. In such a case, problematic gambling behaviour is something that should be taken into consideration.
Most people are not in danger of developing a gambling habit after having purchased one lottery ticket or a scratch card or played slots once or placed a bet on their favourite football club. Problematic gambling behaviour develops over time and there may also be extenuating circumstances that exacerbate compulsive gambling.
One might consider three phases to developing a gambling habit and then problematic gambling behaviour.
Initial phase:
A few positive gambling experiences with some wins and a positive impression of gambling. This can lead to the pursuit of more gambling to repeat the experience and one might attribute their success to their personal skill rather than mere luck.
Forming a habit:
Gambling becomes a habit and increases in frequency. More money is spent on gambling and as the odds even out and losses amount, attempts are made to recoup one’s losses. In this phase, gambling is not yet compulsive and periods without gambling are possible. But thoughts will increasingly return to gambling.
Becoming addicted:
The amount of time and money spent on gambling is out of control. People afflicted will lie about their gambling, feel anxious and guilty about gambling and feel negatively affected by it – including falling into debt, having relationship problems, difficulties at work, becoming increasingly depressed and worse.
If any of the above symptoms are present in yourself, a diagnosis or, at least, an acknowledgment of the problem is the next step to take. If you suspect that you have a problem with gambling, there are many self-help tools online to try and control problematic gambling behaviour.
Reputable online betting and gambling sites provide such tools, including a self-assessment tool to check for symptoms of problematic gambling. Especially when someone is still in phase two, such tools may help to check gambling behaviour.
These tools include:
Outside of these tools that help to reign in excessive gambling, seeing a mental health specialist or attending self-help groups such as Gamblers Anonymous will help to acknowledge the existence of the problem.
Additionally, there are also many informative sites online that educate on gambling addiction. For example:
For UK residents:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/gambling-and-mental-health
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/gambling-addiction/
For US residents:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/gambling-addiction-and-problem-gambling.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/compulsive-gambling/symptoms-causes/syc-20355178
For Australian residents:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/gambling-addiction
For German residents:
https://gesund.bund.de/en/gambling-addiction
If you suspect someone close to you to suffer from gambling addiction, there are things you can do to address this. It is also important to take steps to protect yourself and seek additional help.
There are many exacerbating circumstances that may lead to gambling addiction. Among the factors that lead someone to develop gambling addiction or may cause an increased risk of developing a gambling problem, are:
It is important to note that none of these factors put someone at particular risk of developing problematic gambling behaviour. However, these factors have been observed more commonly among people who have developed a gambling addiction.
Gambling can be considered problematic behaviour as soon as it becomes difficult to manage. Once gambling becomes habitual and tools such as spending or time limits are no longer effective, we may speak of problematic gambling behaviour.
This can result in low self-esteem, stress, anxiety and even depression. Sometimes substance abuse (drugs or alcohol) can also occur.
Gambling addiction is considered a real addiction nowadays, even though the effects are less physical than the addiction to a given substance (alcohol, drugs, etc.). Still, the effect on mental well-being have been documented in detail and more studies are now available.
Mental health specialists certainly treat gambling addiction like any other addiction, with the exception of having to treat physical symptoms as well (in particular withdrawal symptoms from substance abuse).
The very first step to take is acknowledging that there is a problem. Next, every preventative measure should be taken that is available, especially self-exclusion from all betting or gambling sites.
For many, the shame associated with addiction makes it difficult to open up to friends and family about such issues. Whilst this is a necessary step, it may be easier to see a professional mental health specialist. Joining a support group is also an option, especially since a sponsor will be able to provide assistance whenever required.
Treating gambling addiction in therapy will generally focus on the following aspects:
Gamblers Anonymous offers 12-step support meetings for people with a gambling problem, and Gam-Anon provides support for the problem gambler's family members.
Check-dein-Spiel and Glueckspielsucht.de are two sources to visit when gambling addiction is a concern.
The National Council on Problem Gambling Helpline offers a 24-hour helpline (that is confidential) for problem gamblers or their family members at 1-800-522-4700.
Gamcare for online support and a helpline at 0808 8020 133.
Gambling Help Online has a 24-hour helpline at 1800 858 858.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health offers resources and a helpline at 1-866-531-2600.
Individuals can curb their own gambling and thus work towards preventing becoming addicted to gambling by setting limits to the time and money they spend on gambling. Additionally, educating yourself via the many available sources to figure out risk factors and preventative measures are a good starting point.
Governments have their own measures in place to prevent people from becoming addicted to gambling. These include:
Not all of these measures work equally well or effectively. Anyone who gambles online cannot be prevented from drinking a beer whilst doing so. And complete bans on gambling also don’t tend to work as they generally result in a black market for gambling activities that is unregulated and even more dangerous.
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