But problems can arise when an increased desire to take risks causes harm. This includes problem gambling, which is estimated to affect as many as 1% of the population. Gambling can cause a person to develop relationship problems, financial and legal issues, and may cause a person to experience loss of employment and poor health. Without proper intervention, gambling can cause a person to lose control of their life completely.
What is gambling addiction?
Gambling refers to an activity in which a person risks something valuable to them in order to win something in return. Common forms of gambling include betting in casinos or on sporting events.
Gambling disorder describes a loss of control of gambling behavior that causes significant problems with finances, work, or personal relationships. Sometimes it is also called compulsive gambling or problem gambling. People with a gambling disorder are unable to control their gambling activities.
How common is gambling addiction?
Compulsive gambling affects an estimated two to four percent of the population in the United States.
What causes gambling addiction?
An uncontrollable desire for the rush or excitement of winning can lead to compulsive gambling. There is no known cause for this disorder. In some cases, the condition runs in families.
What are the symptoms of gambling addiction?
What Causes Problem Gambling Addiction
Signs of gambling addiction include:
What Causes Problem Gambling Definition
- Thinking about gambling more often; having a craving for gambling that grows in intensely
- Gambling money or possessions you don’t have
- Needing to make bigger bets more often to achieve the rush of excitement
- Becoming irritable or restless when trying to stop or slow down gambling
- Chasing losses (gambling after losing money to win back the loss)
- Continuing to gamble even when it negatively affects finances, work, or personal relationships
- Lying to keep gambling activity secret
- Difficulty controlling gambling activity
- Gambling when feeling anxious or agitated or to manage other uncomfortable feelings
- Seeking financial assistance from others due to money problems from gambling