Gambling involves placing a bet on an event that is unpredictable and offers something of value as a reward. This activity takes place in a variety of settings, from casinos to sports games and poker tournaments. It is often a social activity for individuals, involving the betting of money with others or with virtual currency. Some people are also attracted to the arousal and novelty-seeking qualities of gambling. Zuckerman’s theory of sensation-seeking and Cloninger’s model of impulsive behavior both imply that people engage in risky, excessive gambling because it provides them with positive reinforcement during times of uncertainty. Additionally, casino environment stimuli can reinforce people’s impulse control by arousing their senses, such as the flashing lights and ringing bells of slot machines.
The psychology of gambling is complex and varies depending on the type of gambling activity. For example, social gambling can include playing card or board games for small amounts of money with friends, participating in a friendly sports betting pool, and buying lottery tickets with coworkers. Professional gamblers often make a living from gambling and use a variety of strategies to increase their odds of winning. The DSM-5 nomenclature for pathological gambling now reflects this complexity, suggesting that it may be similar to substance abuse in some cases.
Regardless of the specifics of a person’s gambling behavior, most experts agree that there are certain common psychological features. Some of the most common include the following:
Many people who develop a problem with gambling have an underlying mood disorder such as depression, anxiety, or stress. These disorders can be triggered or made worse by gambling, and they can continue to affect a person even after they stop gambling. People who develop a gambling addiction should seek help for their mood disorders.
Individuals with a gambling problem often feel the need to hide their habit, lying about how much time or money they are spending on gambling. They may even try to win back their losses by increasing their bets. They might also start to lie to friends and family about their gambling. This can cause serious damage to relationships.
In addition to feelings of shame and guilt, many people with a gambling problem feel a sense of denial that they have a problem. They might blame their gambling problems on other factors such as a bad economy or their own laziness. The best way to break this cycle is to get therapy and address the underlying issues.
It can be difficult to admit that you have a gambling problem, especially if you’ve lost a lot of money or hurt your family and friends. But it’s important to realise that you can overcome this issue, even if it took a long time and a lot of hard work. BetterHelp is an online therapy service that can match you with a therapist who specialises in helping people with gambling addiction and other mental health problems. Take the assessment and get started today!