In recent years, gambling addiction has emerged as a pressing global issue that demands immediate attention. Studies published in Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience and European Psychiatry reveal that individuals with gambling problems exhibit heightened activity in brain regions associated with craving when exposed to gambling-related stimuli. This physiological response underscores the addictive nature of gambling, which is exacerbated by the rise of digital platforms. The Lancet Public Health Commission has sounded the alarm, urging people to recognize the escalating problem of gambling addiction. Notably, the fastest-growing gambling categories include online casinos, slots, and sports betting—activities notorious for their addictive characteristics.
A significant concern is the young demographic engaging with these platforms. A staggering 82% of Roblox players are younger than 25, with more than half under age 16. This young audience is increasingly exposed to gambling-like experiences through gaming, blurring the lines between gaming and gambling. Companies have capitalized on this trend, spending $1 billion last year on advertisements for digital sports gambling. The integration of gambling elements into video games and online platforms has led to what some experts refer to as a fusion of gaming and gambling experiences.
“The lines between gaming and gambling are pretty much fused, and increasingly so,” said Nower.
Research indicates that problematic use of social media correlates with internet addiction, gaming disorder, and gambling disorder. The commission estimates that 448.7 million people worldwide engaged in unhealthy gambling practices last year, with 80 million individuals classified as addicted. Among adults and adolescents who play online casinos and slots, 15.8% and 26.4%, respectively, develop addictions. Alarmingly, 68 million people placed bets totaling $23.1 billion on last year's Super Bowl LVIII alone.
“Over the last 10 years, I personally think that the biggest shift that I've had issues about is in-play betting,” remarked Griffiths.
The interplay between gender and gambling addiction also merits attention. Experts argue that societal expectations influence gambling behaviors differently among men and women.
“For men, it's kind of culturally embedded in masculinity to be risky and to take chances on things,” noted Pfund.
For women, financial stress may drive them toward online gambling as a coping mechanism.
“I think if women are having a lot of stress, and if there's some questioning around financial stress, online gambling is just a natural follow-up to that,” explained Nower.
The role of family dynamics cannot be overlooked in understanding problem gambling. Intergenerational effects are significant, with household members often influencing each other's gambling habits.
“There is a very strong intergenerational effect when members of your household are gambling,” added Nower.
Military personnel are particularly vulnerable to developing problematic gambling habits compared to civilians. Factors such as stress and the availability of gambling opportunities in their environments contribute to this increased risk. Despite these challenges, research published in JAMA Network Open found no link between casual participation in fantasy sports and problem gambling, offering a glimmer of hope for those who engage in such activities recreationally.
Event frequency, or the time between wagers, stands out as a crucial structural characteristic linked to problem gambling. When healthy individuals gamble and lose, they deactivate specific brain networks, such as the insula and left inferior frontal gyrus, which serve as internal brakes signaling them to stop gambling. Conversely, individuals with gambling problems may lack this critical self-regulation mechanism.
“It's the most addictive form of operant conditioning because the more you do something, the more you're going to be rewarded at irregular intervals,” observed Nower.
Furthermore, genetic susceptibility and social circles can transform gambling from a harmless pastime into a problematic behavior. More than 200 influences can contribute to this shift, highlighting the complexity of addressing gambling addiction at an individual level.
Despite the severity of the issue, society's perception of gambling as a psychological problem lags behind other addictions like alcohol and drug use.
“It's pretty well culturally accepted now that alcohol and drug use are psychological problems that could be treated as well as potentially medical problems — gambling, not so much,” stated Pfund.
The rise of smartphone usage further complicates efforts to curb gambling addiction. As Griffiths pointed out:
“You can't realistically say to people, ‘Don’t use your smartphone anymore.’”
The prevalence of smartphones has made access to gambling platforms more convenient than ever before, contributing to the issue's persistence.
“Gambling is now fully integrated into the professional sports experience such that kids growing up now are not getting a pure sports experience that can be disentangled from having skin in the game,” noted Nower.
As digital platforms continue to evolve, the distinction between entertainment and risk becomes increasingly blurred. The gamification of activities with gambling components primes young individuals for the excitement associated with gambling.
“Increasingly, gamifying things that have a gambling component primes young people to the excitement that comes from gambling,” elaborated Nower.
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