I’m so tired of seeing ads for gambling and getting unsolicited emails seeking to promote such activities on my blog that I decided to write an article on the harms of these games of chance. Hopefully, this will at least prevent such companies from attempting to collaborate with my blog in the future. If only I were that lucky.
What Is Gambling
Gambling isn’t all the same and thus takes many forms. Playing the lottery, betting on sports, betting on horse/dog racing, bingo, electronic gaming machines (fruit machines), card games, and casino chance-based table games like roulette are all forms of gambling (Binde, Romild, and Volberg, 2017; and Potenza, et al., 2019). Even the coin pusher games I used to play with my nan when I was a child, and crane grabs, are gambling.
Nowadays, traditional forms of games of chance have moved online, becoming very popular, via access through our computers, apps on our phones, and even our smart TVs (Gainsbury, 2015). This has made gambling a 24/7 activity.
A more hotly contested debate is on whether loot boxes in video games are gambling. Loot boxes are a game of chance where people pay to open a loot box, betting on a favourable outcome. According to Zendle, Meyer, and Over (2019), many international authorities have sought to understand the question on if loot boxes count as gambling. Share what you think on this issue in the comments at the end of this article.
Because each type of gambling creates a different experience, what motivates people to participate in one form or another can vary (Binde, Romild, and Volberg, 2017). In some circumstances, they might not even know they’re gambling.
Problem Gambling
Due to there being a range of reasons why someone might get into gambling, there can also be various ways problem gambling might develop (Binde, Romild, and Volberg, 2017). For example, if we start playing the same lottery numbers every week, we may then find it hard to skip a week or stop altogether, because of the fear that week will be the week for our numbers. It’s not going to lead to us going into debt, but it will keep us playing.
Another example might be that someone who gambles online could find themselves playing several games at the same time, which increases the risk, but also the thrill and the potential payout. So it’s not surprising that this can significantly contribute to problem gambling (Gainsbury, 2015).
When it comes to loot boxes, what is true is that the negative impact loot boxes have on older adolescents. In the study by Zendle, Meyer, and Over (2019), they found that the more money older adolescents spent on loot boxes, the greater their chance of problem gambling. The risk was more than twice as high compared to those who didn’t, and they could spend more than five times the amount on loot boxes than those who didn’t have a problem.
According to an article in The Guardian (May, 2024), adolescents in Australia are developing problem gambling due to online gaming and micro-transactions like loot boxes.
Understanding Problem Gambling
Don’t get me wrong, not everyone is going to evolve into a problem gambler, just like not everyone becomes dependent on alcohol or drugs. People can be recreational gamblers who never lose control (Binde, Romild, and Volberg, 2017). But just like we need awareness about alcohol and drug use to avoid problem use developing, we very much need the same for betting and games of chance, because it can become harmful.
Therefore, problem gambling is characterised by a persistent and recurrent pattern of gambling, which is associated with distress (Potenza, et al., 2019). Gambling addiction is a serious mental health condition, one recognised in the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) as a behavioural addiction. And like any form of dependency, an uncontrollable urge to keep gambling (using) despite the negative consequences can devastate someone’s quality of life.
One of the most at-risk groups, besides adolescents, is people living in disadvantaged areas (Welte, Barnes, Tidwell, Hoffman, and Wieczorek, 2015; and Potenza, et al., 2019). According to the BBC (Russon, 2021), in the UK, a fifth of all gambling premises are located in the poorest areas of the country. Betting shops are 10 times more likely to be found in deprived areas than affluent ones. However, the Association of British Bookmakers (2013) denies that they target vulnerable people in deprived areas.
Progressive nature
Like other addictions, gambling addiction often escalates. People may need to gamble with increasing amounts of money or more frequently to achieve the desired excitement or “rush”, or to recoup losses they can’t afford.
Impact on life
It can severely disrupt various aspects of a person’s life, including relationships, finances, employment/education, and physical and mental health. Just like with substance dependency, gambling can also hijack our brain’s reward system, which will drive the urge to continue placing bets.
Hidden illness
Unlike substance dependency, the physical signs of problem gambling aren’t always apparent, as we don’t usually get the classical symptoms of substance dependency or withdrawals that would be a red flag. However, the emotional and financial toll is significant and can ruin lives.
Signs And Symptoms Of Problem Gambling
Preoccupation with gambling
If we find ourselves constantly thinking about past gambling experiences, ways to get more money so we can place bets, or just thinking about games of chance in general, to the point it’s affecting other aspects of ourselves, then this would suggest problem gambling (GamCare, n.d.).
Unsuccessful attempts to control or stop gambling
If we’ve tried and failed to control or stop our gambling, then this would be a very strong case for problem gambling.
Escape
If we’re using gambling as a form of escape from problems or negative emotions, we are partaking in games of chance as an unhealthy coping mechanism (GamCare, n.d.). For example, using it to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, or guilt, then this could be another sign of problem gambling.
Chasing losses
Just like those with substance dependency can find themselves chasing a high, someone with problem gambling can find themselves chasing losses. The need to win back money lost by gambling more, which often leads to greater losses (GambleAware, n.d.).
Damaged relationships
If gambling is hurting our relationships and wider social support network.
Lying
If we’re concealing the amount of time or money spent gambling from family and friends, which is often because addictions like this can lead to feelings of shame (GambleAware, n.d.).
Financial difficulties
If we’re struggling to cover the costs of our gambling, finding we can’t afford our bills, and needing to borrow money, then maybe gambling isn’t worth it.
Ignoring basic needs
We might find ourselves neglecting our basic needs, such as sleep and hygiene, so that we can focus on gambling. Or we might not eat as much to save on money, so we can keep betting.
Recovery
Recovery from problem gambling is possible, and fortunately, there is a range of effective recovery options available.
Therapy
Many forms of therapy can help with tackling problem gambling, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). There is no shame in getting professional support. That’s what they’re there for.
Self-help groups
Self-help groups like Gamblers Anonymous (GA) exist, which is a 12-step program providing peer support and a structured path to recovery. Although not everyone likes the higher power element of such support.
Blocking software
Apps like GamStop or Gamban can block access to gambling websites, which is great given that self-control takes a long time to develop.
Banks
Many banks offer services that will block gambling payments. A list of such banks in the UK can be found here on the Gambling Commission’s website.
Financial support
It can also be important to seek financial and debt support as part of our recovery. Otherwise, that stress may work as a trigger to gamble. Unfortunately, one of the reasons why people living in deprived areas are more likely to gamble is because of financial stress and difficulties. These can significantly increase the risk of developing a gambling problem, as some people may turn to betting as a perceived “quick fix”.
If you have a £200 energy bill and only £30 in the bank, then it might be tempting to make up the difference by betting the money we do have. Because only one option seems to present an outcome where you can pay that bill. This can create a dangerous cycle where gambling further exacerbates financial problems and negatively impacts mental health.
Summary
Like most things in life, gambling can be something that people can participate in that doesn’t lead to any negative consequences. However, just like with substance dependency, gambling can become an addiction. When problem gambling develops, it can have a significant effect on our mental health. People can go into tens of thousands of pounds/dollars into debt.
As always, leave your feedback in the comments section below. Also, please share your experiences with gambling issues in the comments section below as well. Don’t forget, if you want to stay up-to-date with my blog, you can sign up for my newsletter below. Alternatively, click the red bell icon in the bottom right corner to get push notifications for new articles.
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References
Association of British Bookmakers Ltd. (2013). The Truth about Betting Shops and Gaming Machines – ABB submission to DCMS Triennial Review. Association of British Bookmakers Ltd. Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c77dce5274a5255bceda8/Association_of_British_Bookmakers.pdf.
Binde, P., Romild, U., & Volberg, R. A. (2017). Forms of gambling, gambling involvement and problem gambling: Evidence from a Swedish population survey. International Gambling Studies, 17(3), 490-507. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14459795.2017.1360928.
Gainsbury, S. M. (2015). Online gambling addiction: the relationship between internet gambling and disordered gambling. Current addiction reports, 2(2), 185-193. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40429-015-0057-8.pdf.
GambleAware. (n.d.). The signs of gambling harms. GambleAware. Retrieved from https://www.gambleaware.org/advice/for-your-gambling/the-signs-of-gambling-harms.
GamCare. (n.d.). Signs of Gambling Harm. GamCare. Retrieved from https://www.gamcare.org.uk/understanding-your-gambling/signs-of-gambling-harm.
May, N. (2024, September). Dangerous play: How online gaming purchases led an Australian youth into a secret gambling addiction. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/sep/01/australia-online-gaming-new-laws-gambling-loot-boxes-children.
Potenza, M. N., Balodis, I. M., Derevensky, J., Grant, J. E., Petry, N. M., Verdejo-Garcia, A., & Yip, S. W. (2019). Gambling disorder. Nature reviews Disease primers, 5(1), 51. Retrieved from https://www.nevadacouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Gambling-Disorder-Potenza-Disease-Primer.pdf.
Russon, M. (2021, August). Gambling: Poorer UK towns found to have the most betting shops, study shows. BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58300899.
Welte, J. W., Barnes, G. M., Tidwell, M. C. O., Hoffman, J. H., & Wieczorek, W. F. (2015). Gambling and problem gambling in the United States: Changes between 1999 and 2013. Journal of Gambling Studies, 31, 695-715. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4250449/pdf/nihms-600895.pdf.
Zendle, D., Meyer, R., & Over, H. (2019). Adolescents and loot boxes: Links with problem gambling and motivations for purchase. Royal Society open science, 6(6), 190049. Retrieved from https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsos.190049#d1e2714.
Gambling Support
UK
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/gambling-addiction
