Gambling Addiction Increases Alarmingly Among Younger People
The allure of gambling has intensified nationwide, with Americans wagering nearly $120 billion on sports betting in 2023 – a stark reflection of a growing concern that disproportionately affects many young people. The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that approximately 2.5 million adults in the U.S. are severely addicted to gambling, and another 4 to 6 million people have mild to moderate gambling problems. This number will likely only increase as more platforms become available and more people are exposed to online gambling.
How Did the Crisis Develop?
Federal law prohibited sports betting as recently as six years ago. Now, 38 states and the District of Columbia have legalized gambling on sports, leading to an explosion in sports books and aggressive advertising campaigns that are nearly impossible to ignore.
One study showed that NBA and NHL viewers see an average of nearly three gambling-related ads per minute. The constant bombardment makes it challenging for young people to avoid when they sit down to watch their favorite teams play. Commercials often entice new users to download their apps by misleadingly promising “risk-free” bets and simple wagers. However, this phrasing glosses over the fact that all gambling is inherently risky, particularly for teens and young adults.
The industry’s lack of regulation has also contributed to the gambling crisis, particularly among digital natives. Despite its vast reach, this industry is not subject to federal regulation, and there is no federal funding earmarked explicitly for gambling research. In the absence of stringent oversight, the problem continues growing unchecked, often at the expense of vulnerable people.
The Dangerous Allure of Online Gambling
The ease and accessibility of online betting through mobile apps have exacerbated the issue of problem gambling, particularly among young men. People can quickly wager with a few taps on a phone screen, from home or on the go. Attracted by this convenience, many users are sucked in, soon to develop a severe and costly habit that can lead to addiction. It has become quite normal for college-age students to get together on Saturdays and Sundays to watch their favorite football teams play while betting on these games.
Online gambling provides anonymity and privacy, removing the social inhibitions that might otherwise discourage excessive risk-taking in a physical setting. The ability to wager large amounts without traveling to a casino or bookmaker has lowered the barriers to entry and made it easier for people to gamble impulsively and compulsively. Anytime you increase accessibility to a potentially addictive substance or behavior, you increase its potential to lead to addiction in some of its users. Gambling has become so easy, accessible, and acceptable, especially among high school and college-age students, that it is leading to a potential tsunami of young people who are going to develop serious problems in their lives as a result of gambling.
The Mechanism Behind Gambling Addiction
Gambling can alter the brain’s reward and pleasure system by releasing a flood of dopamine, a very powerful neurotransmitter produced in the brain, leading to a rush of euphoria and reinforcement of the behavior. This is the same system that is involved when someone uses cocaine or other highly addictive substances. Betting apps reel people in with enticing promotions and keep them locked in with sophisticated algorithms and psychological techniques, further fueling the cycle of addiction. Gambling is different from substance addictions in that it is more of a process or behavioral compulsion, but it impacts the brain in the same way and can lead to similar consequences as others experience when they are addicted to powerful drugs of abuse.
The ability to place a bet and experience an immediate dopamine rush without stopping to think about the associated risks has proven unhealthy for young people whose brains are still developing. Beyond the initial excitement of potential wins lies a more significant consequence – mounting financial problems that can lead to desperation, depression, and even a young person feeling completely out of control and even suicidal as their use progresses.
Gambling debt is a significant factor contributing to mental health issues, including suicide and suicidal ideation. Alarmingly, many people who call gambling hotlines report thoughts of ending their lives, and research indicates people who develop a gambling disorder are at a much higher risk of considering or committing suicide than the general population. There is very much a feeling of being out of control when someone is progressing in their gambling addiction, and this can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and even hopelessness.
Warning Signs of a Gambling Problem
Compulsive gambling can affect anyone, and there are several warning signs to be aware of. If you notice these red flags in yourself or a loved one, getting professional help is critical to addressing the underlying issues and breaking the cycle of addiction.
1. Lying
Many habitual gamblers deliberately mislead friends and family members to hide the extent of their problem, resulting in increased secrecy surrounding money and spending. Gambling apps enable people to conceal their issues and avoid getting counseling, allowing the problem to go unnoticed while also progressing in severity.
2. Borrowing or Stealing Money
A gambling addiction will eventually cause financial losses that may cause people to take out loans or max out their credit cards. Some gamblers are so deep in debt that they become desperate and turn to theft to fund their habit. It is not uncommon to see college students spending money meant for their living expenses and having to lie to their parents and come up with excuses of why they need more money. Many will become so desperate that they will steal from family and friends in order to continue gambling in the hopes they can recover their losses.
3. Betting More Frequently
Despite their best efforts, compulsive gamblers cannot fight their urge to play and experience psychological and even physical withdrawal when they try to quit. This dependence leads to more and more out-of-control behavior as the compulsion to gamble increases and the willpower of the individual is reduced to the point they can no longer adhere to their own limits. This compulsion and loss of control are some of the hallmark symptoms of any addiction.
4. Obsessive Thoughts About Gambling
Habitual gamblers can become so fixated on their pursuit of the next win that they overlook multiple problems in their personal or professional lives. They become fixated on gambling and can think of nothing else. They spend hours of the day either engaged in the actual behavior of gambling or thinking and fantasizing about when they will gamble next. The addiction becomes all-consuming, and the person will then begin to neglect their responsibilities, relationships, other interests, etc., and will only be able to experience pleasure when they are gambling.
5. Gambling as an Escape
People with a serious gambling problem no longer see the game as a form of entertainment. Instead, they feel they need it to distract themselves from their real-world concerns. For them, it is not relaxing or pleasurable – it is a self-reinforcing habit driven by the urge to recover financial losses. This becomes a vicious cycle and progresses to a point where the person loses good judgment, takes unnecessary risks to keep gambling, and is unable to focus on the healthy aspects of their life. This is when the consequences begin to disrupt an individual’s life, but they may still not be able to see the severity of what is happening to them. They continue to gamble despite the consequences they are experiencing.
Where to Find Experienced, Compassionate Help
Compulsive gambling can have devastating effects, but treatment is available to help you regain control of your life. R&A Therapeutic Partners invites you to explore our recovery coaching and monitoring, substance abuse and mental health evaluation services, and customized outpatient programs. We work with teens, college students, older adults, and anyone who has developed a problematic relationship with gambling. Contact us today to secure a happier, more fulfilling future.
At R&A Therapeutic Partners Raymond Estefania and Ana Moreno specialize in substance use and mental health disorder evaluations, treatment, intervention and therapeutic/educational consulting for clients throughout the greater South Florida area, as well as nationally and internationally. For more resources and information please visit Therapeutic-Partners.com or on Facebook.
