Problem Gambling
The Hidden Addiction
Gambling is when someone wagers something of value, typically money, on an event with an uncertain outcome. While most people use gambling as a form of entertainment and socializing:
Over 6 million Americans struggle with problem gambling.
Another 2 million have a severe gambling addiction.
Gambling disorder is defined as the uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the harm caused to a person or their family and ranges from a “mild gambling problem” to “severe” (addiction). Problem gambling often disrupts quality of life and causes damage to personal relationships, health, career, finances, or mental wellness.
Gambling disorder is recognized in the same category as substance use disorder (SUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD), which means people can actually become addicted to gambling.
Problem Gambling in Youth
Within the past year, 60-80% of high schoolers reported gambling. Teens may gamble for several reasons, including as a way to socialize, to make money, or to cope with mental health. Common forms of gambling among youth are bets with friends, sports betting, video games, and the lottery.
Because the parts of the brain that control decision-making and emotions are still developing during adolescence, youth are twice as likely as adults to develop a gambling problem and four times as likely if exposed to gambling before the age of 12. Unfortunately, many adolescents report their first experience with gambling around the ages of 8-11 years old through lottery tickets.
Youth problem gambling can have severe impacts such as damage to brain development, increased risk for engaging in other risky behaviors, and life-long issues with impulse control, decision-making, learning, and stress management.
4-6% percent of youth struggle with a gambling addiction, over twice as many as adults, and another 10-14% are beginning to experience signs of problem gambling.
Sports Betting
For many Americans, sports betting is a fun way to engage with other fans and make the season more exciting. However, sports betting is a form of gambling that can quickly become harmful and addictive.
75% of sports bettors place a bet once a week and 2 out of 10 bet at least once a day. Since Virginia legalized sports betting in 2021, calls to the problem gambling helpline have significantly increased, especially from youth and young adults.
Many people believe sports betting is based on skill and knowledge, making it safer than other forms of gambling. However, it’s still impossible to make safe predictions because countless factors affect outcomes. This illusion of control has caused sports betting to be more strongly linked to gambling problems than any other form of gambling. Many sports bettors report higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, and thoughts of suicide than other individuals who gamble.
Those who bet should remember that betting sites profit from players’ losses so often encourage players to bet more often with more money. They do so by offering new players “risk free bets” and promising higher payouts for betting on teams predicted to lose. These tactics often lead to players taking on much more risk than they normally would and ultimately spending and losing more money.
The rate of problem gambling among sports bettors is twice as high as the general gambling population. They are also more likely to experience substance use, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Gaming and Gambling
While gambling and spending might not be the first things that come to mind with video games, more are starting to include gambling features that can lead to poor financial habits and addictive behaviors. While some of these elements are easy to spot, others are more subtle.
Notice any of these in the games you or your loved ones play?
Traditional gambling with real money, such as slots, poker, or bingo.
Legal for ages 21+
Virtual bets with no real-money awards. These can be traditional gambling or family-style games, like Uno. While these games are free, players can use real money to buy extra chances at winning.
Legal but risky for all ages.
Some video games feature casinos or gambling minigames that simulate real-life gambling, which can desensitize the player and normalize the behavior. E.G.: Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, and Pokémon.
Legal for all ages, depending on ESR rating.
Randomized rewards purchased with real or virtual money that may improve gameplay or change character appearance. There’s no guarantee of winning items worth the money spent, mimicking gambling and often leading to compulsive spending. Games with loot boxes include FIFA, Apex Legends, and Roblox.
Legal for all ages, depending on ESRB rating.
Mobile games often promoted as “free-to-play” (F2P) that allow players to enjoy the game long enough to get hooked. However, to continue playing, players must pay or win rare items from loot boxes. E.G.: Genshin Impact, Pokémon Masters EX, and Monster Strike.
Legal for all ages, depending on ESRB rating.
Contain items or loot boxes that can be purchased with real money to gain advantages over other players. While these purchases are optional and not always a gamble, they can often push players to continuously spend more to stay competitive. E.G.: Candy Crush, NBA 2K18, and Call of Duty.
Legal for all ages, depending on ESRB rating.
When making purchases in video games, remember that companies want you to spend more and play longer. While these purchases may seem harmless, spending any form of money to win produces a brain response similar to gambling and can lead to compulsive spending habits.
Youth and older adults (age 50+, retiring/retired) are especially vulnerable to the addictive effects of gaming and online spending. While minors cannot legally gamble with real money, they can still play casino games and use real money to buy in-game items. Research has shown that gambling and spending money in video games increases youth’s attraction to gambling in real life. These games also pose a risk to older adults (50+) as 80% of people over the age of 50 play video games alone as a coping skill to escape negative emotions or to create social connections.
42% of youth have gambled in video games; 35% have taken or borrowed money to do so and another 31% have spent their own money on gambling in video games.
Signs and Symptoms
Gambling disorder is often called the “hidden addiction” as it doesn’t have the same outward physical signs and symptoms as other addictions and often goes unnoticed, even by those struggling with it. Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for in someone struggling with a gambling problem:
Spending an increasing amount of time and/or money gambling.
Restlessness, irritability, or stress when unable to gamble or attempting to cut back.
Repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop or limit gambling despite negative consequences.
Constant thoughts of gambling, including reliving past experiences or planning the next gamble.
Frequently borrowing or stealing money, taking out loans, or selling possessions to gamble.
Hiding or lying about extent of gambling behavior and losses.
Feeling shame, guilt, or hopelessness due to gambling habits, losses, and impacts on life.
Routinely chasing losses; continuing to gamble more to try to recover lost money.
People do not need to gamble every day or lose large sums of money to struggle with Gambling Disorder; anyone who experiences adverse consequences because of their gambling but still struggles to stop can be struggling with problem gambling.
Gambling can have serious and harmful impacts such as feelings of shame, lowered self-esteem, depression, financial ruin, legal trouble, or loss of important relationships and career. Extreme cases can also result in suicide. 17-24% of those with a gambling disorder have attempted suicide and gambling disorder has the highest rate of suicide death among addictions due to the severity of the social, financial, and mental impacts.
Safer Gambling
If you are considering gambling or have already chosen to, understand the risks so you can make safe and informed decisions regarding your time and money. It is critical to know what to expect so you can prepare and stay mindful while gambling. Here are some ways to practice safer gambling:
Treat gambling as a form of entertainment, not a way to make money:
Remember, you’re playing to have a good time! “Hope to win but expect to lose” and never chase your losses. Budget for gambling like you would a night out with friends and only use money that isn’t needed for necessities.
Make a plan:
Before you play, set money and time limits. Consider how much money and time you’re willing to spend and can afford to lose. What other parts of life will you miss out on if you go past these limits? It can be helpful to use outside supports like limit-setting tools offered by some casinos and gambling apps, phone alarms, or a friend you can share your plan with.
Monitor your mental state:
Avoid gambling when under the influence of substances or when feeling upset as this can impair your judgement, lead to poor decision-making, and reinforce gambling as a coping skill.
Take breaks:
When gambling is no longer fun, you begin to push the limits you set, or you become uncomfortable with the level of risk you’re taking, take a break. If you find this difficult to do on your own, there are voluntary exclusion programs that allow players to temporarily ban themselves from using gambling services.
*There is no form of safe gambling for youth. All underage gambling is dangerous and poses significant risks to youth’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Getting Help
It’s important to remember that a gambling disorder is not simply a “bad habit”, but a mental disorder. Like Substance Use Disorder, individuals experiencing a gambling addiction need understanding, support, and treatment.
Getting help may sound overwhelming, confusing, or even a little scary, but it doesn’t have to be! If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, there are resources to help.
National Problem Gambling Helpline
1-800-GAMBLER, 800GAM, and 1800gamblerchat.org are the national problem gambling helplines that individuals can contact for support, resources, and treatment options if they or someone they know is struggling with gambling.
VALottery.com Voluntary Exclusion Program
Valottery.com/playingmatters/
voluntaryexclusionprogram The VA Lottery voluntary exclusion program is available for individuals wishing to temporarily ban themselves from accessing various gambling opportunities for a period of two or more years.
Gamblersanonymous.org
Gamblersanonymous.org provides locations and contact information for Gamblers Anonymous peer support meetings across the state, both in-person and virtually.
National Problem Gambling Info
NCPGambling.org/help-treatment offers information on problem gambling, resources for treatment and support, and a self-assessment tool to screen for risk of gambling disorder.
Horizon Behavioral Health
Horizonbh.org/gambling/ is committed to raising awareness and promoting education about problem gambling in our community. We provide information on problem gambling, youth gambling, responsible play and gifting, and links to other helpful resources.
Professional Mental Healthcare
Talk to your doctor or counselor about your concerns. While some providers can’t directly treat gambling issues, they can help with related health concerns and connect you to other resources.