Gambling Addiction

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Gambling is an activity where people bet or risk something of value (like money) based on the outcome of a chance event. This can be anything from a roll of the dice to the outcome of a horse race. Many governments prohibit or heavily control gambling through laws and regulations. Regardless of whether it’s legal or not, gambling is often considered immoral and has a negative social stigma.

While there is no single form of gambling that is more addictive than another, studies have shown that certain types of gambling increase the likelihood of developing a pathological gambling disorder. For example, those who experience large wins early in their gambling careers tend to develop an addiction more quickly than those who experience near misses (i.e., two similar fruits appearing in a slot machine and the gambler waiting for the third). Additionally, researchers have found that impulsivity is also a predictor of gambling addiction.

It’s important to understand why a person might become addicted to gambling so that you can better support your loved one and help them break the habit. It’s also helpful to know that gambling can be harmful to physical and mental health, relationships, work performance and school achievement, and can result in unemployment, financial ruin and even suicide. If you suspect that someone has a gambling problem, learn about effective treatment options and local referral resources to discuss with them. Then, set boundaries in managing their money and review bank and credit card statements to ensure they are not spending more than they can afford to lose.