Gambling involves risking money or material goods on an outcome that is determined at least partly by chance. While many people enjoy gambling and most do so without problems, a subset of individuals experience serious consequences from their behavior, including a range of emotional disorders. Understanding what makes some people vulnerable to gambling problems may help develop better prevention and treatment strategies.
While most adults have placed some sort of bet, only a small percentage of them develop gambling disorder, defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as “a pattern of betting or wagering that is characterized by impaired control over gambling urges.” Approximately 2.5 million Americans meet the criteria for a severe gambling problem. In addition, 5-8 million more adults are classified as having mild or moderate gambling problems. Vulnerability to developing problems is higher in lower-income households, where there may be more to lose and less to gain with a win, and among young people. Men are more likely to develop gambling problems than women, but that trend is changing.
A variety of factors contribute to problematic gambling. Some of these are related to the nature of the activity itself. When someone gambles, their brain produces dopamine, a neurotransmitter that increases with excitement and reward. This can reinforce the urge to keep playing, especially when they are on a winning streak.
Other contributory factors involve behavioral disinhibition and impulsiveness. There is considerable consensus that gambling involves impulsiveness, and the definition of pathological gambling in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders includes “persistent preoccupation with gambling or a significant decrease in other activities.” There are several theories of impulse control that are relevant to a gambling disorder, including sensation-and novelty-seeking, arousal, and negative emotionality. While research on the relationship between these and a gambling disorder is ongoing, they appear to contribute to the development of the disorder.
There are also societal and cultural influences that can affect a person’s vulnerability to developing a gambling disorder. Historically, gambling was often considered immoral and illegal and it had a poor reputation. However, it became more acceptable as the culture of the West evolved and moral conservatism waned. Today, gambling is a popular pastime that is regulated and legal in most states.
If you have a family member who has developed a gambling disorder, you can help by encouraging them to seek professional help. You can also take steps to reduce the financial risks they are taking, such as getting rid of credit cards and putting someone else in charge of managing household finances, removing online betting accounts, closing their bank accounts, and keeping only a small amount of cash on hand. You can also encourage them to strengthen their support network and consider joining a gambling addiction peer group like Gamblers Anonymous. This can be a great way for them to find a sponsor, a former gambler who has successfully overcome their addiction, to help them stay on track.