Gambling dates back to at least the first millennium BC, eventually evolving into a widespread source of entertainment. However, along with its growing popularity, gambling has also led to significant financial losses and psychological and physical hardships.
The health impact has been magnified during the pandemic, as more people have turned to gambling, experts say.
“There’s a wide range of consequences that come with gambling disorder (formerly referred to as gambling addiction or problem gambling). Like any addiction, the damage can be to a person’s body, their brain, or their mind,” Dr. Fong said. “But the common problems we see when people come into treatment are things like large financial debt, loss of time, loss of productivity, and damaged relationships.”
Cognitively Similar to Drugs
Like addictive drugs such as cocaine, heroin, nicotine, and alcohol, gambling activates the brain’s reward system, which is powered by dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that reinforces sensations of pleasure and connects those sensations to certain behaviors or actions.
“Gambling, unlike any other addiction, is associated with cognitive distortions,” Dr. Fong said. “People say, ‘If I keep gambling then eventually I’ll win.’ You don’t say that about alcohol, tobacco, or cocaine.”
This cognitive distortion often occurs in people who have lost large amounts of money or other assets due to gambling. Sometimes their pride, ego, or sense of despair drives them to gamble more in hopes of making back what they lost.
What Causes a Gambling Disorder?
There are multiple reasons why someone might become addicted to gambling.
“It’s the same as what causes any other addiction. It’s a combination of biological risk factors, psychological risk factors, and social risk factors,” Dr. Fong said.
“It can be someone with a family history of addiction, someone who has untreated mental health problems like depression, anxiety, ADHD, or someone who is around a lot of gambling, with access to money, creating a recipe for why people fall into problems.”
Gambling During the Pandemic
Dr. Fong said the pandemic could be one reason that gambling has increased recently.
“Our experience at the UCLA Gambling Studies Program is that there are more opportunities to gamble during the pandemic. There were online games available, and casinos stayed open,” Dr. Fong said.
Casinos and online gambling were among the few entertainment options that remained available for people during lockdowns and quarantines.
“In my opinion, the pandemic and all of its related stress and trauma could easily drive people to begin gambling and/or return to gambling as an emotional comfort measure.”
Most Addictive Forms of Gambling
All forms of gambling are potentially addictive, Dr. Fong said. However, he has noticed a trend in California—most people coming into treatment report that slot machines are their preferred form of gambling.
He noted that gambling that is rapid, or that allows multiple bets at one time, tends to be very addictive as well.
“We know that gambling that is anonymous, where you don’t have to interact with anyone, can be addictive,” he said. “Also, gambling that is tied to really large immediate payouts, like slot machines, can also be enticing. When you bet small amounts trying to get the huge jackpot, that’s definitely a risk factor.”
Technology has made gambling more accessible for compulsive gamblers, with people able to place wagers from their smartphones. Some people link their credit cards to digital gambling apps and can add money with the push of a button. Dr. Fong acknowledges that this leads to additional problems.
Assistance for People with Gambling Disorder
Many gambling establishments and gambling apps are putting safeguards in place for people who might have gambling disorders.
Some casinos have self-exclusion programs, allowing people to ban themselves from the establishment. Some gambling apps have installed software that allows users to manage their gambling impulses.
Though a gambling disorder can cause myriad problems, there are ways to overcome it.
“If they come into the office, we do what we do for any other addictive disorder,” Dr. Fong said. “We do psychotherapy, we have Gamblers Anonymous, we have medication, and strategies to get people to work hard on their recovery, where their addiction can be contained.”
For more information on gambling disorders, visit the UCLA Gambling Studies Program.
If you are concerned about your gambling behavior or someone else’s gambling, call the California Department of Public Health at 800-GAMBLER for access to free confidential treatment.
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