Editorial: Gambling addiction - A pervasive problem

Current statistics suggest that between 1-3% of the general population has a gambling problem. Bear in mind that that percentage is for the whole population — obviously the affected percentage is higher among the active gambling community. In fact, in a report from the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, one expert estimated that as much as 15% of the gambling industry workforce demonstrates signs of gambling addiction. Could you be an addict?

While we acknowledge that gambling addiction is a very real problem for some people, those people are a minority, and the good news for that minority is that there's plenty of help out there. If you've got gambling problems, then there's a good chance you've already noticed some of the signs. Do you feel hungover after your sessions? Do you stress out over every bet? Do you leave the casino with a sense of disappointment or even guilt? Do you have a hard time sticking to your limits and frequently find yourself gambling with money you don't have?

Gambling is meant as entertainment, not as a regular source of income. So if you can't enjoy the games even when you lose, then it's probably time to question your motivation for playing. Coming to a chance-based game with the express purpose of winning shows a clear lack of logic and may be a sign of a pathological gambling problem.

Online vs. land-based gambling addiction

It is unclear whether gambling problems are more prevalent in live or online gamblers, though studies have shown that the excitement created by live events like horse racing can contribute to the addictive nature of the game. Either way, gambling addiction in any form can be very harmful. In a recent survey of Gamblers Anonymous members, 57% of the problem gamblers polled admitted to stealing to support their habit.

What is clear is that gambling addiction is a problem that is increasing with every new generation. As a promoter of the gaming industry, it's important for GamblingPlanet and our staff to point out that no responsible and respectable gambling establishment wants to profit from gambling addiction. In fact, virtually all casinos (both live and online) openly provide information on gambling addiction including contact numbers for support groups like Gamblers Anonymous. Many live casinos have also instituted self-ban lists where players with a known gambling problem can ask the casino to help them manage their addiction by refusing to allow them to play their games.

For more information on problem gambling, see our section on gambling addiction or visit the official Gamblers Anonymous website.

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31-May-2009, 10:23

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