• Problems
• How We Help
• Treatment
• Fast Help
• Family Intervention
• Secondary Care
• Accommodation
• Rehab Costs

What is Compulsive Gambling?

There is a profusion of gambling opportunity around us, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Casinos, bookies, online betting, scratch-cards, race tracks, bingo, the lottery – the UK gambling industry is now worth more than £50 billion a year. For some, gambling is an occasional hobby like a round of golf or a trip to the theatre but for others, it obtrudes into their lives and develops into an emotional illness where they can think of nothing else.

Compulsive gambling effects up to 370’000 British citizens, a number that is steadily increasing. With the recent introduction of new gambling legalisation which will allow the construction of many new casinos, gambling industry advertisements on television and the possible erection of a Las Vegas supercasino, it is a problem that requires urgent attention.

Similar to alcohol addiction, compulsive gamblers are compelled to continue gambling against their better judgement. They chase loses whilst behind and are driven to win more whilst ahead. In the majority of cases it is not the financial aspect that is appealing but the thrill and arousal of the risk. For the problem gambler, the buzz and excitement corrupt the rational mind and they ignore their weak position and the unfavourable odds. Casinos and bookmakers profit from their edge; the typical payout for catching a number at American roulette is 35-1, yet the odds on actually catching this number are 37-1. Therefore, in the long run, a roulette player betting at these odds stands to lose over £5 for every £100 bet. The compulsive gambler remains oblivious to his poor investment as he craves the thrill or dreams of the big win.

It is not easy to perceive the onset of problem gambling in a friend or family member. Many addicts spend years as occasional and unproblematic gamblers before compulsion sets in, others are hooked from the very first wager. The majority will develop a stealth approach to gambling and conceal their addiction from others. It has been suggested that the internet is a major force in the increase of problem gambling as it provides the gambler with a protective shield against detection.

As with many alcoholics, gambling addicts may suffer from feelings of remorse and guilt yet become restless if they try to abstain. Family responsibilities and social lives are often put to one side and the gambler may use borrowed money or even stolen money or forgo paying bills and rent to feed the craving. Although the cause of compulsive gambling is unknown, scientists have linked it to underperforming neurotransmitters in the brain that are also thought to be responsible for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. There are several common traits that have been identified among gambling addicts; the majority are male, they have an increased chance of developing a problem if they started gambling in adolescence or if one of their parents suffered from gambling addiction and the closer they reside to a casino or other gambling outlet, the greater the chance of becoming addicted.

The new legislation that came into effect in Britain 2007 will lead us to a greater exposure to gambling then ever before. One can only hope that the government has formulated a strategy for halting the continued increase in compulsive gambling and treating those members of the citizenry who slip from participation in a harmless leisure activity into a life debilitating addiction.