Be gamble aware – play responsible

Gambling addiction is omnipresent in gambling, and the easy availability of online casinos increases the risk of pathological gambling. In many cases, gambling addiction develops gradually, and the first signs go unnoticed. Those affected often experience financial difficulties due to their gambling addiction, and to continue funding their addiction, they incur debts. Like all addictions, gambling addiction can be treated with professional support and psychotherapy.

Gambling addiction – a serious issue. But you're not alone.

Causes

Gambling addiction is usually caused by multiple factors, and pathological gambling develops gradually. It is believed that genetic, biological, and psychosocial factors play a role in the development of gambling addiction.

Genetic Factors: Studies show that children who grow up with a parent suffering from gambling addiction have a 20 percent risk of developing a gambling addiction themselves. Although genes are not the sole cause, they contribute to the development of pathological gambling.
Biological Factors: Similar to eating or drinking, gambling releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter also known as the “happiness hormone.” With regular gambling, the effect of dopamine gradually diminishes. To experience the same high, affected individuals gamble longer or wager larger amounts.
Psychosocial Factors: People who suffer from gambling addiction often have low self-esteem due to negative experiences. Focusing on gambling serves as an escape from reality. Wins can create the illusion that they have control over the game, leading them to continue gambling despite losses.

In addition to the factors mentioned above, the addictive potential of the games themselves plays a crucial role in the development of gambling addiction. Online casinos, in particular, make games available 24/7 with no restrictions. Payment methods like credit cards and e-wallets make it hard to track spending, increasing the risk of exceeding intended limits.

Impact (Crime, Financial problems, personal issues)

Gambling addiction affects all aspects of a person’s life. Because large sums of money are often spent on gambling, it leads to financial difficulties with far-reaching consequences. Affected individuals may struggle to meet financial obligations, like rent or regular bills. To continue gambling, they may borrow money from friends or family or take out loans. However, as they cannot repay these amounts, financial pressure mounts, potentially leading to criminal behavior. The compulsion to gamble is so strong that some resort to fraud, theft, or embezzlement to obtain money.

Aside from financial issues, pathological gambling also impacts mental health. Gamblers are often caught in an internal conflict, oscillating between guilt and a powerful urge to continue playing for the high. Though they recognize their behavior is out of control, they are unable to stop. To alleviate the pressure, they may turn to alcohol, drugs, or medication, raising the risk of developing additional addictions.

How common is gambling addiction?

According to a survey by the German Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), approximately 1 percent of 16- to 70-year-olds in Germany exhibit problematic gambling behavior. Of these, 0.39 percent show conspicuous gambling behavior, while 0.34 percent are considered pathological gamblers.

Phases of gambling addiction (Initiation Phase, Loss Phase, Desperation Phase)

Gambling addiction typically develops over time, with early signs often overlooked. The progression generally follows three phases:

Winning Phase: In this initiation phase, gambling is still controlled, and bets are small. Success boosts self-esteem, sparking hope for a large win. Gamblers begin devising strategies to reach their goal, increasing both the frequency and financial investment in gambling.
Loss Phase: As gambling increases, the monthly income no longer covers gambling expenses. Borrowing from friends or family or taking out loans becomes common. The sense of money as a valuable resource diminishes, leading gamblers to see it merely as a means to continue gambling.
Desperation Phase: In the third phase, gamblers lose all control, making gambling the center of their life. Even wins provide no joy, and gambling feels increasingly unsatisfactory. Desperation may push them toward crime to obtain money, leading to personality changes like increased aggression, apathy, and withdrawal from others.

Gambling Addiction in numbers – How many people are affected?

According to BZgA, over 400,000 people ONLY in Germany exhibit uncontrolled gambling behavior, with around 200,000 affected by pathological gambling. Men show problematic gambling behavior more often than women.

Recognizing gambling addiction (Typical Signs)

Unlike substance-related addictions like alcoholism or drug addiction, gambling addiction occurs in secrecy, making it harder for family members to recognize. Signs of gambling addiction include:

What Crypto sporsbetting and casinos are doing to combat gambling addiction

Reputable casinos and bookies acknowledge their responsibility as gambling providers and take steps against gambling addiction by offering various restriction options and assisting players in identifying problematic behavior.

Self-Exclusion: Most operator offer self-exclusion options. Players can either initiate a self-exclusion themselves through their account or request one through customer support.
Automatic detection of problematic behavior: Many now use specialized software to analyze player behavior, identifying early signs of problematic gambling and prompting players to take preventive actions.
Limits: Another measure to combat gambling addiction is setting daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits, as well as loss limits in some operators.

Can gambling addiction be prevented?

In principle, gambling addiction can be prevented. However, early signs are often detected too late, allowing the problem to progress before intervention. Gamblers should adhere to the following guidelines:

Track spending, avoiding wagers beyond available funds.
Only play familiar games.
Set personal limits on both stakes and losses.
Take regular breaks to gain perspective.

Addresses and contacts

When a player realizes their gambling behavior is out of control, or if family members notice a problem, seeking help is advisable. Various counseling centers and organizations are available for affected individuals.