Responsible Gambling
Millions of people around the globe participate in gambling activities. For most, it never goes beyond a fun part-time hobby. But for others, it can create a gambling problem. A gambling problem can further morph into a gambling addiction, which takes over your entire life.
There are various pros and cons to gambling, as well as different reasons for why you might gamble. Here are the main advantages:
- It’s fun and entertaining
- It’s a possible way to win money
- It’s easy to get started
- There are various forms of gambling
The cons include:
- You can lose money
- It’s challenging to win consistently
- Others may not approve
- Gambling can be addictive
Gambling has as many upsides as it does downsides. This article will take a look at responsible gambling, including gambling addiction, ludomania, gambling alternatives, and helpful resources for gamblers.
What Is Gambling Addiction?
Gambling addiction is categorized as a mental health condition. It’s similar to other addictions, which include drug-use, pyromania, and kleptomania.
A person who is addicted to something can’t put an end to their behavior, even when they know it’s hurting themselves or their loved ones. People who are addicted to gambling can display varying degrees of symptoms. These symptoms can be mild or intense. Here are the main types of gambling addictions:
Problem Gambler
- A problem gambler’s habits are not completely under their control, nor are they addicted to the point of compulsion.
- Their gambling behavior is disrupting their normal life.
- They may lie about their spending habits to loved ones.
- They slowly realize that they can’t prevent themselves from gambling more often.
Compulsive Gambler
- A person who can’t control their gambling desire.
- They continue to gamble regardless of the consequences.
- They continue to look for gambling opportunities even though they’re fully aware they can’t afford to lose.
- Also known as a pathological gambler.
Binge Gambler
- A person who displays signs of compulsive gambling only during specific periods.
- They may appear to be in control of their problem.
- They can go for months on end without showing any signs of addiction.
- Their compulsive gambling behavior is only shown when they gamble, however rarely it is.
Signs Of An Addicted Person
There is a list of signs that you can use to determine if you are or someone you know may have a gambling addiction.
If at least four of these signs have been visible within the past year, it may mean there is an addiction manifesting. These signs should not be considered if an individual has a separate mental health condition. The American Psychiatric Association sets this diagnosis criterion.
- The need to gamble with a higher amount of money to accomplish the same level of excitement
- Being irritable or restless when attempting to cut down on gambling
- Having numerous unsuccessful tries to stop gambling
- Frequent thoughts about gambling (past and future gambling experiences, ways of getting money to gamble)
- Gambling when feeling depressed, anxious, guilty, or helpless
- Returning to get even after losing money (known as chasing losses)
- Lying to hide gambling activities or its consequences
- Jeopardizing or losing relationships, jobs, or opportunities due to gambling
- Relying on the help of others for money problems related to gambling
It’s essential to remember that this list is not enough to ascertain whether you have a gambling addiction. It may aid in understanding your problems, but to receive an accurate and correct diagnosis, you should consult a medical professional such as a psychiatrist or a therapist.
A medical professional’s opinion can help rule out any other mental disorders that may be the cause of these behaviors. Individuals with gambling addictions typically have other underlying conditions, such as substance abuse, depression, and anxiety. It’s vital to receive a thorough evaluation by a professional to determine the cause of these behaviors accurately.
What Causes Ludomania?
The medical term for gambling addiction is ludomania. There isn’t a clean-cute cause of this addiction, as it involves many factors. These are biological, psychological, and social factors, along with comorbidity.
Other points to consider include mental health conditions, the age at which you begin gambling, and how significant your first wins are.
Biological Factors
Biological factors play a crucial role in ludomania. This is because some aspects of this condition are the same as other addictions. The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery has found evidence that pathological gambling is very similar to substance addiction. Studies have also shown that addicted gamblers display more physical symptoms during withdrawals than substance addicts.
Brain images show that winning while gambling produces neurological responses that are similar to cocaine users who take a dose of the drug.
Deficiencies in chemicals like norepinephrine, which is secreted under stress, arousal, or thrill, as well as serotonin, which is connected to your level of happiness, are also related to compulsive gambling behavior. Pathological gamblers use gambling to increase the production of these chemicals that they lack.
Psychological Factors
The way you think about gambling can have an influence on your chances of developing an addiction. The “Gambler’s Fallacy” is a prime example of this.
The Gambler’s fallacy is an incorrect belief that a series of independent events will affect the outcome of future independent events. So, if a random event has already occurred numerous times in the past, we tend to think that it’ll happen less often in the future.
The most famous example of this fallacy occurred in 1913, where it gained its alternative name, the “Monte Carlo Fallacy.” In a game of roulette, the ball landed on the color black 26 consecutive times. Gamblers lost massive amounts of money, thinking that this streak would eventually come to an end.
The Gambler’s fallacy further motivates addicted gamblers to chase their losses, as they believe that their luck will turn around shortly.
Other psychological factors include cognitive biases. Some examples of distorted thinking include the illusion of control, denial, superstitious beliefs, and overconfidence in future events.
It’s also been noted that fast-paced games such as slots may elicit more problem behaviors.
Social Factors
External sources play a role in ludomania as well. Problems at work or at home, coupled with high amounts of stress can trigger problematic gambling behaviors, though they’re not necessarily the leading cause.
The sociological environment you are surrounded by can put you at a certain amount of risk. Gambling addictions can be passed through families on to younger generations who are exposed to gambling activities more than usual.
Ludomania is also linked to distress, depression, loneliness, meaningful live events, and low levels of support from friends and family.
Comorbidity
Comorbidity is the presence of one or more additional conditions that occur in conjunction with the primary condition.
Several key elements significantly increase the likeliness of developing a gambling addiction. These are:
- Alcohol addiction
- Drug addiction
- Personality disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Anxiety disorders
If you already have any of the above conditions, you may be at a higher risk of developing a gambling addiction. It’s vital to consult a medical professional to receive a proper diagnosis and plan of action.
Negative Effects Of Gambling
Participating in gambling activities can lead to various adverse effects. Some of these may be obvious, while others are less apparent.
Finances
You use real money to gamble, so if you bet too much, you can land yourself in hot water financially. A compulsive gambler can accumulate a large number of debts very quickly. In extreme cases, they can even end up poverty-stricken. The loss of your home, cars, and other assets can lead to total bankruptcy. Legal problems can also arise, particularly if addicted gamblers resort to theft and other tactics to fund their habits.
