Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Gambling is an activity in which participants risk something of value, usually money, in a contest or game of chance with the hope of gaining something of equal or greater value. It has been around for centuries, and is a popular pastime in many countries. In modern times, it has grown to be a multibillion-dollar industry worldwide. The most common form of gambling is a lottery, followed by sports betting and casino games. While many people view gambling as a fun social activity, some individuals become compulsive gamblers who experience significant and negative personal, family, work, and financial effects.

Problem gambling can be difficult to recognize, but there are some warning signs that you should watch out for:

Feeling compelled to play even when it is making you lose money or your life feels out of control. Feeling the need to conceal your gambling, or lie to friends and family about it, because you fear they won’t understand. Feeling the need to win back the money you’ve lost, and becoming obsessed with it.

Trying to recover from a gambling addiction can be tough, but it’s important to seek help. Seeking therapy can help you identify the triggers that lead to your gambling, and teach you coping skills to deal with them. It’s also helpful to get treatment for any underlying mood disorders that may be contributing to your problem gambling, such as depression or anxiety. You might consider seeking marriage, career, and credit counseling as well, to help you repair your relationships and finances.

There are a variety of different treatments available for problem gambling, including individual and group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, and addiction rehabilitation programs. If you’re struggling with a gambling addiction, it’s also important to have a strong support network. You can find that by joining a support group, like Gamblers Anonymous, which is based on the 12-step model used by Alcoholics Anonymous.

The medical journal ‘Nature Human Behavior’ published a study in 2018 that found a number of video and mobile games were meeting the definition of gambling under the country’s laws, including Madden NFL 18, Assassin’s Creed Origins, and FIFA 18. The researchers watched online videos of players opening loot boxes in 22 popular games, and found that nearly half of them met the criteria for gambling, which included an exchange of real money for virtual goods with an uncertain and unpredictable outcome. They concluded that people who play these types of games are prone to developing a gambling disorder, and that men and young people are more susceptible to this type of addiction than women or older adults.