Psychology of Gambling – The Gambler’s Brain
Gambling can be difficult to explain. There are a lot of tests, experiments and research made on human behaviour when gambling is involved, and the results are quite interesting. The psychology of gambling is the main topic for this article – we’ve included detailed information and a lot of interesting facts that you would definitely want to read. We’ve gathered information about symptoms, reasons leading to the start of an addiction and more!Psychology of Gambling – How Does It Happen?
Psychologists have come to the conclusion that our brains are designed to be over-confident in many aspects, including gambling. This confidence comes from the feeling of control over a specific situation, despite the fact that the outcome might not be what we expect. When playing at the casino, people often have the tendency to play more, especially if they win from a small bet at the table or from the nearby slot machine. The adrenaline and the ‘happy’ hormone hit, leading to more excitement and courage to play again at a higher risk/stake. Other things that contribute to this boost of confidence are:
- Near Misses – getting to close to winning the jackpot and then ending up losing. This awakens the urge to play more in hopes that, at some point, you will win the game you’re playing.
- Personal Choice – or the illusion of it. When allowed to participate in the game (throw dice, spin wheel), the player thinks this is the best way to control the outcome of the game in his favour.
- The Bandwagon Effect – this may also be associated with FOMO ( Fear of Missing Out). You want to be a part of a specific group (gamblers), so you do your best to fit in – you start playing, buying lottery tickets, etc.
All of the above are just the first few steps to gambling addiction and a lot of other problems. Here’s what else we’ve found about the mental illness.
Gambling Addiction Explained
What is the psychology of gambling? What happens in the mind of a gambler? How does the brain function when someone plays the Roulette or a simple slot game? Gambling is not something that we, as humans often realise we do. This activity is not only connected with casinos and bingo halls. It could be as simple as a small bet on how many red cars will pass by, for example. But something so simple can quickly turn into a very unhealthy form of living. We will do our best to explain what this addiction looks like in the next few paragraphs.
Gambling and Other Disorders – Symptoms
Gambling addiction is definitely something that should be taken seriously. It is a mental illness that needs to be diagnosed and treated adequately, often similar to other types of addictions and mental disorders. It is even linked to some of them – same triggers or/and symptoms, physical and mental reaction and others. We’ve included a table below with main gambling addiction symptoms that are also often seen with other illnesses.
| Symptoms | Gambling Addiction | Bipolar Disorder | Sex Addiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| anxiety | + | + | + |
| depression | + | + | + |
| mood swings | + | + | + |
| impulsive behaviour | + | + | + |
| alcohol or drug use | + | + | + |
| feeling of guilt | + | + | + |
As you can see from the chart, there are a lot of similarities and one mental illness can be easily mistaken for the other if there is no proper diagnose given. Also, having in mind that this is a form of impulse-control disorder, it can be quite challenging for a person to, well, control it.
Common Gambling Triggers
We talked about the symptoms of gambling addiction, but we would also like to pay attention to the triggers. There are a lot of ways to trigger a mental illness, including compulsive gambling. Some that are often mentioned in articles and used in experiments by experts are:
- Lights and Colours
- Musical Background or Ringing
- Certain Words and Phrases
- Winning a Game and Wanting to Do It Again
Of course, there are a lot more, but these are considered some of the main triggers that often awaken such impulsive behaviour. The use of alcohol and certain drugs may double the effect and bring more harm to the player.
Psychology of Gambling Addiction Prevention
Previously we’ve mentioned that gambling addiction can be treated similar to other types of illnesses. The most important step to solving the problem is acknowledging that it exists. Then, it is time to ask for help. There are a lot of facilities and organisations (both online and offline) that offer professional treatment and a ton of useful information on how to spot and prevent gambling from becoming an addiction. For example, the top UK low stake roulette casino sites provide players with various tools for self-exclusion and other responsible gambling options. Both land-based and online casino sites strive to provide a safe space for gamblers and there are a lot of licenses and regulations by authorities that work on gamble abuse prevention. This includes:
| BeGambleAware.org | An independent charity organisation that prevents gamble abuse. |
| GamCare | Independent UK charity that, similar to GambleAware, provides information and help people affected by gambling. |
| Gamblers Anonymous | An international fellowship, where you can find support and understanding from others who struggle with gambling addiction. |
Conclusion
Overall, the psychology of gambling addiction is quite an interesting topic for discussions that involves a lot of theories and a lot of expert research. Gambling can be fun if in moderation, but it can also be the beginning of a vicious cycle of playing, winning, losing and then doing it all over again. We advise you to read, seek professional help for you or for a loved one and be strong support. Play responsibly!
FAQs About the Psychology of Gambling
Since there are a lot of questions regarding the topic of the psychology of gambling addiction, we wanted to include this section. Here you will find the answers to some of the more often asked questions.
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