Experts Find Reasons Leading To Problem Gambling

Problem gambling or ludomania is an impulse to gamble in spite of an urge to stop or the knowledge of the harmful effects. Problem gambling is normally defined by whether the harm is experienced by the gambler or someone else. A severe gambling problem is called clinical pathological gambling. Pathological gambling is thought to be an impulse control disorder and is consequently not seen as an addiction by the American Psychological Association.

Reasons Leading To This Problem

A brand new research from Swinburne University of Technology has established that residing or working near a gambling venue can have a very direct effect on this problem. Geographical accessibility encourages reckless gambling and makes avoidance extremely difficult for those who have a problem.

The experts of the university also add that there’s more to accessibility than just the proximity to casinos. Some gamblers feel that they are drawn to casinos because they provide a welcoming retreat from the problems and stresses of day-to-day living – a “haven” where all the issues can be left outside. Both social gamblers and problem gamblers are normally attracted to casinos where they could take pleasure in other social activities apart from gambling, and where the ambiance is welcoming and pleasant.

Problem gambling has reached a very high level in the past few years in Asian countries such as Hong Kong because of the gambling industry in Macau. Macau is seen as the casino hub of Asia and has caused several residents of Hong Kong to visit on a regular basis. These high rollers tend to fall into a gambling pattern which is unhealthy.

Hong Kong is a city which is known to inhabit the biggest number of gamblers. Moreover, a study indicates that most of these gambling addicts also have certain form of mental disorders.

Throughout the world, experts have been investigating about the factors that add to the gambling addiction. Treatment centers have become very common in places where different kinds of gambling are prevalent. In the United States, some states even necessitate educational tools and treatment facilities before a casino can be built.

All the research seems to point to the notion that problem gambling is an intrinsic tendency. They also point that such gamblers will risk money on any game available, rather than a specific game which is stirring up problem gambling in an otherwise “normal” person. On the other hand, research also points that problem gamblers have a tendency to risk their money on fast-paced games. Therefore, a problem gambler is far more likely to lose money on games such as slot machines, roulette, or games where rounds tend to end quickly. In such games, there is a continuous temptation to increase bets or play again. This is opposite to a system like state lottery where the person must wait till the next drawing to know the results.

The study has also concluded that problem gamblers are normally very withdrawn from their friends and family. Anxiety and depression are two of the most common causes for the alienation. Researchers deem that the addiction to gambling only tends to make the disorders stronger.