Raising Awareness and Providing Support for Problem Gambling By Bobbe McGinley Provider for the Division of Problem Gambling Founder of ACT—Counseling & Education Clinical Director, Recovery in the Pines and...
Raising Awareness and Providing Support for Problem Gambling
By Bobbe McGinley
Provider for the Division of Problem Gambling
Founder of ACT—Counseling & Education
Clinical Director, Recovery in the Pines and Birches Health
“As gambling becomes more of an obsession, many individuals will start increasing their bets in an attempt to recapture the excitement or emotional high they felt initially.”
With March being Problem Gambling Awareness Month, we once again find attention both in Arizona and nationally, turning towards education, resources, and clinical treatment for Gambling Addiction.
Gambling can severely impact a person’s life, affecting their finances, relationships, and mental well-being. Recognizing the warning signs of problem gambling early on can help individuals and their family seek assistance before the issue escalates.
An alarming concern has emerged in recent years: children, adolescents, and young adults are transitioning from video gaming to online gambling as the dopamine triggers are similar. It is crucial to understand the signs of both, where they most overlap, and how to increase access to education and resources for all.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
- Preoccupation with Gambling:
One of the primary indicators of problem gambling is an ongoing preoccupation with gambling activities. If an individual spends most of their time thinking about past gambling experiences or planning future bets, this could signal a deeper issue (Griffiths, 2011). They may constantly be thinking about how to get more money to gamble, and gambling thoughts may take precedence over other important aspects of their life, such as work, school, or family.
Increasing Bets to Achieve the Desired Effect
As gambling becomes more of an obsession, many individuals will start increasing their bets in an attempt to recapture the excitement or emotional high they felt initially. This escalation in betting is a clear warning sign that the behavior is moving away from recreational gambling into a more compulsive pattern. These individuals might rationalize the need for larger bets by believing they are just one big win away from solving their financial issues.
Chasing Losses
Gambling addicts often find themselves in a cycle of trying to win back money they have already lost. This behavior, known as “chasing losses,” can exacerbate financial problems and lead to even greater debts.
It’s a dangerous mentality that feeds into the compulsive nature of problem gambling.
Lying or Hiding Gambling Behavior
Problem gamblers may begin lying to their loved ones about the extent of their gambling or hide their activities altogether. This secrecy can indicate a loss of control over gambling, as the individual feels shame or guilt over their actions. They may even borrow money or use dishonest means to fund their gambling habits.
Impact on Relationships and Work
Problem gambling can negatively affect relationships with friends, family, and coworkers. Individuals might neglect their responsibilities, stop participating in social activities, and isolate themselves to spend more time gambling. Financial issues from gambling losses can also create tension and strain relationships, especially when debts or stolen funds come into play.
Emotional Distress
Feelings of anxiety, depression, or irritability often accompany problem gambling. As the gambler’s situation worsens, they may experience more emotional highs and lows, particularly when wins and losses fluctuate. Individuals may use gambling as an escape from emotional pain, which only reinforces the cycle of addiction.
Kids Transitioning from Gaming into Gambling
While problem gambling is a concern for adults, there is a growing issue involving young people who transition from online gaming to gambling behaviors. This transition can be subtle and difficult to spot, especially since both activities often share similar elements, such as rewards, risks, and a virtual economy.
“When children move from gaming into gambling, they may not fully understand the real-world consequences of their actions.”
In-Game Purchases and Microtransactions
In many video games, players can buy in-game items, skins, or other enhancements using real or virtual currency. Some games even have gambling-like mechanics, such as loot boxes, where players pay for the chance to win rare items or currency. The excitement of opening loot boxes or winning random rewards in gaming mirrors the thrill of gambling. Over time, young players may begin to associate real money with this reward-based system, which could set the stage for later gambling habits.
Lack of Understanding of the Odds
In both gaming and gambling, the outcome is often based on chance, but young people may not fully grasp the odds involved. As a child’s exposure to loot boxes, microtransactions, and in-game bets increases, they may begin to think that luck is the primary determinant of success in any game. This mindset can make the transition to actual gambling seem less risky or more appealing, as they fail to recognize the potential for loss.
Social Influences and Peer Pressure
Online gaming communities can have a significant impact on young people. Players often encourage one another to buy items or take part in “risky” in-game behavior. This peer pressure can subtly normalize gambling behaviors, as children may see others gambling or participating in activities like betting on game results.
Escalating Interest in Real Money Gambling
Once children grow older, and their interest in gaming persists, they may begin seeking ways to gamble with real money. This transition is often fueled by a combination of curiosity, exposure to gambling mechanics in games, and the desire for the same kind of rewards and thrill they experienced in gaming.
For Parents, Clinicians, and Educators
The primary distinction between gaming and gambling lies in the nature of the risks involved. Gaming, for the most part, involves playing for enjoyment without financial loss, while gambling introduces the risk of financial harm. However, the two share common ground in terms of reward systems, odds, and the potential for compulsive behaviors.
When children move from gaming into gambling, they may not fully understand the real-world consequences of their actions. In contrast, adults who develop gambling problems are often fully aware of the risks, even though they struggle to control their behavior. Recognizing the signs early, both in children and adults, is crucial for preventing a progression into more severe gambling problems.
While both problem gambling and the transition from gaming into gambling present challenges, early intervention and awareness can mitigate the risks. Parents, educators, and communities must remain vigilant in understanding how gaming can lead to gambling behaviors, especially in young people, and how those behaviors differ from adult gambling addiction.
About the Author
Bobbe McGinley, MA, MBA, LISAC, NCGC II, CADAC has been working in the field of Chemical Dependency since 1988, and worked with Problem and Compulsive gamblers since being Certified by the Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling, Inc. She is Clinical Director, Counselor and Consultant at her agency ACT – Counseling & Education.
ACT— 602-569-4328 | http://www.actcounseling.com
Birches Health— 833-483-3838 | http://www.bircheshealth.com
Gambling Resources
- Call 24-hour helpline 1-800-NEXT-STEP TEXT NEXT-STEP to 53342
- Gamblers Anonymous — www.gaphoenix.org
- AZ Council Compulsive Gambling— 1-800-777-7207
- ACT Counseling & Education — 602-569-4328
- Birches Health— 833-483-3838
