Whether it’s online casino games, sports betting, fantasy sports, or lottery-style promotions, gambling can be fun and exciting. But the $9.5 billion per year business comes with serious risks, including addiction and other mental health problems. Gambling-related issues can also disrupt relationships and cause financial detriment. Many people don’t realize they have a problem until it’s too late.
Biological causes: The act of gambling triggers the release of dopamine and other feel-good neurotransmitters, which makes gamblers want to experience those feelings again. The repetitive actions involved in gambling also reinforce addictive behavior. In addition, the anonymity of online gambling can make it harder for individuals to recognize their addiction.
Psychological causes: Daily life stressors and underlying mental health problems can trigger or worsen problem gambling. Researcher Sally M. Gainsbury from Southern Cross University in Australia reports in the journal Addiction that people who gamble online tend to have coexisting depression and anxiety disorders. These disorders can contribute to impulsive betting, which leads to higher levels of financial loss and higher rates of withdrawal symptoms when a person tries to cut back on their gambling activities.
Financial risks: Online gambling presents significant financial threats, which can increase the risk of addiction. For example, in-game and in-app purchases can add up quickly, leading to financial burdens. Additionally, the euphoria experienced during a win may lead to reckless betting, leading to greater financial losses. In addition, if the casino fails to pay out winnings, individuals can face substantial legal consequences.
Behavioral therapies can help address the root causes of an addiction to gambling. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches people how to recognize and change negative thoughts that drive their addictive behavior, such as believing they are due to win after a long streak of losses. Moreover, motivational interviewing is an effective approach for addressing a person’s ambivalence about changing their gambling habits. In addition, family therapy can help to foster a positive environment in which people can practice healthy behaviors.