Online casinos are making gambling more convenient than ever. A rise in problem gambling has been attributed to this, and knowing the signs can help you prevent it before issues arise.
Taking advantage of a rare moment to yourself, instead of browsing streaming services, you decide to do some casual gaming. You sign up with one of the many casino offers, and join one of the 3.2 million Canadian citizens already playing online games. The thrill of spinning reels or perhaps playing poker soon draws you in, but the losses are something you can’t take. Before you know it, you are chasing them, trying to reclaim lost wagers and can’t stop. You are now one of the 1-2% of Canadian gamblers for whom it is a problem, but one which is often avoidable.
The Psychology Behind Gambling Addictions
The psychology behind gambling addiction is extremely complex and individual. For too long, it has been put down to the release of dopamine in the brain and the chasing of a hormone-induced high. Yet this is now being looked at as one of many possible factors, including how people learn, process risk and reward and respond to stress.
Across the globe, the rates for problem gambling vary from 0.4% to 2%. Around 4% of those who experience substance abuse issues also have a gambling disorder. Around 96% of people with a gambling disorder experience another psychological or psychiatric disorder at the same time. Even more curious is that 7% of patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease have gambling problems.
There are also indications that the tendency for addiction may start at a young age. A survey from 2018 commissioned by the government of British Columbia found that two-thirds of adolescents aged between 12 and 18 believed they had gambled or played gambling-like games in the previous year. This has been known to be linked to problem gambling in later life and an increased chance of psychological distress.
Just how far this can go is evident in one of the most high-profile gambling addiction cases in Canadian history: That of Brian Molony. Acting as a bookmaker from the age of ten for his classmates, he began to develop a love for horse racing betting. At university, he was hired right away by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce due to his aptitude test and was fast-tracked to management. However, he embezzled $10.2 million from the company to feed his gambling sprees in Las Vegas. He served a prison sentence, had a book and film made about him and subsequently lectured on the dangers of gambling.
Luckily, the country and the industry itself are working hard to minimize these risks. Third parties will now review casinos based on safety. This is not just regarding cybersecurity and the fairness of the games, but also in regard to how they handle problem gambling. This esports.gg article has a quick comparison of the safest casinos available in Canada, showing how people can still enjoy these games and bonuses while being looked after by the operator.
The Key Signs of Problem Gambling
As late as 2013, gambling disorder was classified as an impulse control disorder, at least in the US. Now it has been moved to an addictive category. What really categorizes them as this are two main factors: That people need to increase their gambling as time goes on to feel more satisfied, just as people would with alcohol. Second is the inability to withdraw and having psychological impacts when they do.
This is usually a good place to start when identifying issues, either in yourself or someone else. If gambling becomes a coping mechanism, helping you block out other issues such as work, family or social life and you need more gambling to do it, then it is a problem. Removing yourself from all these situations to gamble is also an indicator. You may cancel social appointments to go and place bets, or call in sick at work so you can spend the day using online casinos.
Chasing losses is also a major slide into addiction. This is the push to gamble in a bid to reclaim money you have lost. For example, you may lose $500 at the tables, then keep playing beyond your budget to try and win it back. Once you start lying about where this money has gone, when you don’t have payments for rent, bills, food and other essentials, you need help.
You may be one of the people who knows someone with a problem gambling issue. A study in Saskatchewan found that 8600 children in the province live with a parent who has a problem gambling issue, showing it impacts families as well as the individual. This is usually apparent in financial signs, such as bank statements and income. Family members may become withdrawn, with rapidly changing mood swings. Anxiety and insomnia are also signs that they may be problem gambling. Once they start lying about these issues, you may need to get them professional help.
The Vital Task of Budget Management
The overriding skill to master when avoiding problem gambling is the ability to manage a budget. Funds for gambling should only come from your disposable income. This is the amount you have left after your household income has gone on bills, food, rent or mortgages, payments and other essentials. This is estimated to be at $32,924 per household each year in Canada, depending on the province and other factors.
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By no means should you use all of this as your budget. Once you have this, then a proportionally small amount can act as your monthly gambling budget, or it may be a one-off amount if you are visiting a casino. Once that money is gone, you must accept that it is gone. This is regardless of whether you are at a win or a loss. Once you find yourself unable to manage a budget, you probably have a gambling issue or may be at risk of it.
Essential Tips to Combat Problem Gambling
If you believe you have a problem, then you need to take steps to counteract it. It is estimated that around 1 in 3 people with gambling problems can recover on their own. Begin by taking yourself out of high-risk situations. Delete your gambling apps and close your accounts. Avoid all the places where gambling triggers may occur, such as sports tracks and other venues. Lastly, make sure you cancel forms of credit that may tempt you to gamble, like cards and loans.
Trying to fight the urge to gamble is also a great help. When the impulse arrives, try to relax and focus. Slow down, and try to gather your thoughts. From here, think about the money you may lose and what other things it could go on. Remove yourself from the situation and do something else to distract yourself.
Lastly, casinos themselves will have tools to help with problem gambling. They should have resources to direct you to organizations that can assist. Many will also have tools that can limit the amount you deposit, and even exclusion schemes. The best ones will care for their customers and have work behind the scenes to pinpoint large, repeated transactions that may signal problem gambling.
Dispelling Gambling Related Myths
It also helps to understand many of the myths surrounding gambling and the romanticism people have given it. The truth is, the house really does always win. An example of this can be found in how studies have shown that players continually misunderstand return-to-player ratings.
These are percentage amounts given on slot games and other casino titles. They represent a probability rating of how much a player would get back if they gambled over a given period of time. A player on a 97% RTP game, gambling $100 in 1$ increments over a given timescale, would get $97 back, with $3 going to the house. Conducted in the UK and US, the study showed that people have an inflated impression that they are likely to win when an RTP message is displayed, with many believing it showed their overall chance of winning. Thus, they have a 97% chance they will come away in profit.
Thus, you need to know what your chances are. Get rid of any superstitious beliefs in luck and the notion that random occurrences have meaning. Finally, understand the concept of the gambler’s fallacy. This is where people believe one incident increases the probability of another. For example, a gambler’s fallacy may lead people to believe that if red comes out on the roulette table three times in a row, then black must be next. This is wrong, as the probability remains the same each time.
Gambling Responsibly With Intelligence and Logic
The industry will reach $9.6 billion in revenue this year and is a key economic growth factor for the country. Yet provinces are keen to ensure this is not at the expense of the social fabric.
More research on the psychology of gambling is needed, but many previous misconceptions are coming to light to help us understand more. The key is to recognize and be able to handle them yourself. If not, then make sure you know when to reach out for help to ensure you maintain safe, fun gambling sessions.
