U.K. Authorities Launch Pilot Project to Ferret Out Problem Gamblers
Are some demographic groups more vulnerable to pathological gambling than others?
Tag Archives: gambling addiction
Online Gambling Presents Least Risk for Addiction, Study Finds
Gambling disorder is the only form of non-substance-based behavioral addiction with an official definition provided by the American Psychiatric Association. Affected individuals have an established, dysfunctional pattern of gambling involvement. Modern technology has increased the availability of gambling opportunities for the average consumer, and online gambling is now an option for fairly large numbers of […]
March Madness: A Big Deal (and Threat) For Gamblers
It’s called March Madness, and it grips nearly every office on the block, every dorm on campus, every sports fan—and many non-sports fans—who have half an inkling they know anything about basketball. The NCAA tournament is big business with an underbelly that drags victims to the dark side as well.
Mathematical Formulas May Spot Problem Gamblers Before Addiction Sets In
In the science fiction thriller Minority Report, the police were able to eliminate crime thanks to the efforts of special investigators with the power to see into the future. Being able to predict impending criminal activity gave law enforcement a leg up on the competition, changing the old adage from “crime doesn’t pay” to “crime […]
Problem Gamblers Show Opioid-Related Brain Changes
Opioids are a group of powerful drugs and medications directly or indirectly made from a plant called the opium poppy. All opioids reach the brain through sites, called opioid receptors, found on the surfaces of certain types of cells. In a study presented in October 2014 to the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, a team of […]
Super Bowl Is Bettor’s Dream, Addict’s Nightmare
Will Idina Menzel go over or under? If you have an opinion on whether the Tony Award-winning singer will take longer than 121 seconds to belt out the Star Spangled Banner before the Super Bowl, you could be a winner.
Amount Spent While Gambling Can Signal Addiction
The amount of money spent while gambling helps predict the appearance of problematic gambling behaviors, researchers from The Australian National University and Southern Cross University have found.
Should Compulsive Gamblers Self-Ban From Casinos?
When compulsive gamblers begin facing serious negative consequences due to their gambling addiction, one step often recommended by professional therapists is to self-ban from casinos. This is a good move, but not the only action that should be taken.
‘Gambling at Work’ Policy?
Corporations are careful to assess risk before hiring an employee. They conduct drug testing along with multiple interviews and cover pages of rules with new hires. The cost of replacing an employee is high, and employers are careful to be sure that a candidate aligns well in philosophy and work style before he or she […]
Do Gambling Disorder’s Effects Vary With Age at Onset?
Gambling disorder is an officially defined form of behavioral addiction centered on a range of symptoms that indicate a life-disrupting level of involvement in gambling activities. Some people develop this disorder relatively early in life, while others develop it at a later age. In a study published in May 2014 in the journal Addiction, a […]
Study Identifies Brain Region Linked to Gambling Addiction
A new study from Cambridge University in the U.K. has identified a part of the brain that appears to play an active role in compulsive gambling. The study, led by Dr. Luke Clark of Cambridge, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The Cambridge researchers found that brain damage affecting […]
The Dark Side of March Madness No One Talks About
Gambling expert says betting on the NCAA basketball tournament leads some, particularly college students, down the road to addiction. Still bragging about your NCAA bracket picks? When you and millions of others this month descended into the yearly spring rite of college basketball known as March Madness, wherein you bet $5 or $10 in a tournament pool – you hardly thought it […]
Video Slot Machines Hit Jackpot of Addiction
The old one-armed bandit style slot machines live on in our collective memories. But it is the electronic versions of these sly heist-meisters that have been taking the gambling industry to new and unprecedented heights. These modern contraptions are really more video game than mechanical device, and they can eat away bank accounts at a […]
Internet, Gambling Addicts Also Suffer From Withdrawal
The idea of a behavioral addiction calls many people’s accepted definition of addiction into question. Addictions are not limited to substances, with gambling addiction, sex addiction and Internet addiction being examples of addictions to specific patterns of behavior. This may be puzzling at first, but the truth is that behavioral addictions are ultimately chemical in […]
Could a Change in Game Design Help Prevent Gambling Disorder?
Gambling disorder is a form of addiction that manifests as a collection of dysfunctional gambling-related urges, thoughts and behaviors. Current scientific evidence indicates that people affected by the disorder have an unusual inability to stop themselves from acting impulsively while participating in gambling or considering participating in gambling.
The Dangers of Process Addictions
Addiction has long been limited to the abuse of chemical substances that leads to physical and emotional dependence. While still debated by some experts, many now agree that there are indisputable similarities between traditional substance addictions and what are called process addictions. These are addictions to any kind of activity or behavior, and do not […]
Casinos’ Data Could Identify Problem Gamblers, Researchers Say
Gambling addicts could be helped with the use of consumer tracking information developed by the casinos, Harvard researchers say. However, the CEO at Caesars Entertainment worries about taking the technology to “extremes.”
Gambling an Overlooked Addiction in America
Gambling is an issue that is often ignored in the U.S. With so many ways to gamble in casinos and bars and a proliferation of alcohol abuse, many are dealing with a double-edged sword. Convenience stores and mini marts carry Powerball tickets and college students also have a variety of gambling games that are popular […]
Confirming Your Suspicions: How to Know For Sure if Your Spouse Has a Gambling Problem
You’ve known for some time now that something is wrong, but you just can’t seem to find the courage to confront your spouse on the issue. What you do know is that he or she has been distant lately, and that, along with a few other signs, means that there’s a problem that needs dealing […]
Problem Gamblers Have Increased Risk of Suicide, Personality Disorders
A new study from Montreal has found that pathological gamblers are more likely to commit suicide, and also tend to suffer from personality disorders. These findings could help develop improved suicide prevention programs.
Researchers Identify Four Different Types of Compulsive Gamblers
To effectively reach through to pathological gamblers, clinicians may need to customize treatment strategies for patients that meet their specific therapeutic needs.
Cambodian Refugees and Gambling Disorders
The Cambodian refugees that have settled in the United States may suffer high rates of trauma (Marshall, Schell, Elliott, Berthold & Chun, 2005). In order to treat this trauma, it is also important to understand how the trauma manifests itself in behaviors, such as substance abuse, employment dysfunction or gambling disorders. Recent research examined the […]
Are Rats Risk-Averse?
Rats are often studied to determine how humans might behave in a similar situation or react to a medication. Though rats have been known to understand simple reward and punishment responses, it has not been explored whether rats could understand the concept of “playing the odds.” A recent study by Zeeb, Robbins, & Winstanley in […]
Gambling Addiction Rapidly Growing Problem for Youth in Iowa
Gambling has become practically a national pastime. Recent reports suggest that more money is spent on gambling than other entertainment venues combined. Along with this love affair for risk has come a growing addiction. In a recent Sioux City Journal article, gambling therapist Matt Cihak believes it is only a matter of time before his […]