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Health

What Are the Signs of Gambling Addiction?

Dan Cavallari
By
Updated May 17, 2024
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Anyone, male or female, young or old, can exhibit signs of gambling addiction, even if that person only gambles once in a while. A common misconception about gambling addiction dictates that a gambler only has a problem if he or she gambles frequently, but the signs of gambling addiction do not necessarily include frequent gambling; instead, any gambling that causes problems for the gambler and his loved ones can be a sign of addiction. Damage caused to personal relationships and financial hardships are signs of addiction, and in many cases, depression, mood swings, and other negative behaviors may be signs as well.

Another misconception about gambling is that the gambler does not have a problem if he or she can afford to lose the money. The truth is, the signs of gambling addiction are not always indicated by money loss. If the gambler's addiction causes problems in the home, the gambler may have a problem. It is not uncommon for a problem gambler to ignore his or her children, spouse, and other duties including paying bills, going to work, getting enough sleep, eating properly, and so on. It is important to remember that problem gambling is a disorder that can lead to physical and mental health issues rather than just financial struggles.

Financial struggles are, of course, one of the biggest signs of gambling addiction. The gambler is likely to continue gambling regardless of his cash situation; he or she may have lost all of his or her money, but will not be able to pull himself or herself away from the games. The games are all that matter to the gambler while he or she is in a casino or other gaming area, and all other aspects of life take a back seat to the continuation of the games. Gamblers tend to get into financial trouble and can even lose money that was intended for bills, food, or other vital purposes.

One of the other signs of gambling addiction is secretiveness. The gambler may feel the need to hide his or her gambling habits from loved ones because the gambler feels shame about his or her problem. It is not uncommon for the gambler's loved ones to be completely unaware of the problem until it is too late. Family members should take action if they notice a problem, and there are treatment options for this disorder.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
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Dan Cavallari
By Dan Cavallari , Former Writer
Dan Cavallari, a talented writer, editor, and project manager, crafts high-quality, engaging, and informative content for various outlets and brands. With a degree in English and certifications in project management, he brings his passion for storytelling and project management expertise to his work, launching and growing successful media projects. His ability to understand and communicate complex topics effectively makes him a valuable asset to any content creation team.
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Discussion Comments

By RoyalSpyder — On Mar 11, 2014

@Chmander - I've certainly noticed it. I don't know if I'd call that "gambling", but you do bring up some very good points about the amusement parks games. Financial reasons aside, I think one thing we all need to realize about gambling is how risky it is. Though you do have some chances of winning, every time you challenge others, you're always at a risk for gaining empty pockets. You're always at a risk for losing your last paycheck, and you're always at a risk of damaging the relationships you have with your friends and family, as the article also states. Being such a serious addiction, you can intentionally (or unintentionally) shut out everyone from your life.

By Chmander — On Mar 10, 2014

In my opinion, one thing about gambling in general is that it's designed to trick you, and it's designed to steal your money. Often, the changes of winning are very low, and the results are rigged so you have a high change of losing. This isn't what I'd call "gambling", but I have an example. One time when I was at an amusement park, I was tricked into spending nearly all of my tickets playing one game. Basically, to win, you had to throw a small basketball inside the center hoop. However, within the game itself, the precision was messed up. It was designed so that you miss more often than you score. In fact, has anyone else noticed this what a lot of amusement park games?

By Viranty — On Mar 10, 2014

I'm not a gambler, but regardless, I didn't know that it could be an addiction. Some people really love their money, huh?

Dan Cavallari

Dan Cavallari

Former Writer

Dan Cavallari, a talented writer, editor, and project manager, crafts high-quality, engaging, and informative content for various outlets and brands. With a degree in English and certifications in project management, he brings his passion for storytelling and project management expertise to his work, launching and growing successful media projects. His ability to understand and communicate complex topics effectively makes him a valuable asset to any content creation team.
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