Gambling Addiction

What Is Gambling Addiction?

Gambling addiction, also known as gambling disorder, is the uncontrollable urge to continue gambling despite the negative effects it has on your life.

It falls under the category of behavioral addictions, meaning the behavior itself—not a substance—triggers changes in the brain’s reward system. Over time, gambling hijacks the brain’s natural pleasure pathways, much like drugs or alcohol, making it harder and harder to resist the urge.

Note: Gambling disorder is currently the only behavioral addiction officially recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Other behavioral addictions like shopping, sex, food, or gaming are still being actively studied.

How Gambling Turns Into an Addiction

Understanding how gambling addiction develops helps explain why it can be so difficult to stop once a pattern forms.

For many people, gambling starts out as an occasional activity—maybe scratch-off tickets, casual bets, or fantasy sports leagues. But over time, the excitement of risk and the emotional highs linked to winning can rewire the brain’s reward system.

Access also plays a role. Gambling isn’t just about casinos anymore. Today, opportunities to gamble are everywhere, from smartphone apps to online sportsbooks to gas station lottery machines.

Types of Gambling Activities

Gambling activities generally fall into two main categories:

• Chance-Based Gambling: Games where outcomes are random, such as slot machines, roulette, or the lottery.
• Skill-Based Gambling: Games involving strategy or decision-making, such as poker, blackjack, horse racing, or sports betting.

While some types of gambling involve more skill than others, the thrill of risk and reward plays a major role across all forms.

In-Person Gambling

In-person gambling is still the driving force behind gambling both here in the U.S. and around the world. In 2016, the gambling industry brought in close to $400 billion worldwide, with only about $45 billion coming from in-person gambling.

Some examples of popular in-person gambling include:

• Casinos
• Sportsbooks
• Parimutuel facilities (horse tracks, dog tracks, etc.)
• Betting with friends or family members

Online Gambling

Thanks to new gambling apps, you can gamble straight from your smartphone or tablet. Depending on the state that you live in, online gambling companies such as DraftKings and FanDuel, and even some traditional casino companies such as Caesars, have created betting apps for your smartphone.

While this has made gambling easier, it can also be dangerous. Previously, you would have to travel to a location that offered legal gambling; now, you don’t even have to get off the couch. The easy access to gambling can be incredibly tempting for someone with a problem or may make it easy for someone to slip into a bad habit quickly.

Warning Signs of Gambling Addiction

Gambling addiction can be difficult to recognize at first, especially because gambling is so common and often socially accepted. However, catching the early warning signs is crucial.

Over time, occasional betting can shift into a harmful pattern of compulsive behavior that affects emotional, financial, and personal well-being. Understanding what to watch for helps you take action sooner—and improves the chances of a successful recovery.

Some warning signs of gambling addiction include:

• Inability to stop gambling
• Increasing the amount of money used for gambling to feel satisfied
• Experiencing feelings of restlessness or irritability when not gambling
• Constantly thinking about gambling activities
• Experiencing financial, legal, or work problems as a result of gambling
• Continuing to gamble even after losing (also known as “chasing”)
• Lying to friends and family about gambling

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), experiencing four or more of the listed warning signs within a 12-month period may indicate a gambling disorder.

Gambling Addiction vs. Compulsive Gambling

Gambling addiction is a broad term for harmful patterns of gambling behavior that disrupt a person’s life. Compulsive gambling, also known as gambling disorder, is a more severe form where the urge to gamble becomes overwhelming and feels impossible to resist.

In simple terms:

• All compulsive gamblers have a gambling addiction.
• Not everyone with a gambling problem meets the criteria for compulsive gambling—yet.

Recognizing compulsive gambling early can help prevent deeper losses and emotional harm.

Consequences of Gambling Addiction

One of the most damaging consequences of gambling addiction is the severe financial toll it can take. People struggling with gambling addiction often continue to gamble even when they cannot afford to, leading to mounting debts and serious financial instability.

Common consequences of gambling addiction include:

• Debt accumulation: Many individuals rack up significant credit card debt or take out loans to fund their gambling habits.
• Financial instability: Gambling losses can lead to unpaid bills, bankruptcy, or losing essential assets like homes and cars.
• Physical health problems: Chronic stress from gambling-related problems can cause digestive issues, insomnia, headaches, and other stress-related conditions.
• Relationship strain: Financial secrecy, broken trust, and emotional distress can severely damage relationships with family, friends, and partners.
• Legal trouble: Depending on state laws, gambling-related activities (such as fraud, theft, or illegal betting) can lead to arrests, fines, or other legal consequences.

Gambling Addiction Statistics

Gambling is a widespread activity, but for a small percentage of people, it can lead to serious and sometimes life-threatening consequences. Understanding how common gambling addiction is—and the risks associated with it—highlights the importance of early intervention and support.

Key facts and statistics include:

• According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, about 85% of U.S. adults have engaged in gambling activities at some point.
• Approximately 1% of the entire adult population 18 and up in the U.S. has a severe gambling problem.
• Ethnic and racial minorities tend to suffer from a gambling disorder at a higher rate than the rest of the adult population in the U.S.
• A reported 17% of problem gamblers and 18% of gambling addicts have attempted suicide.

Who’s at Risk of Developing a Gambling Disorder?

Gambling itself doesn’t automatically lead to addiction. In fact, most people who gamble recreationally never develop a serious problem.

However, certain biological, psychological, and social factors can increase a person’s risk of developing a gambling disorder. Understanding these risk factors can help identify who may be more vulnerable and allow for earlier intervention.

Some common risk factors for developing gambling addiction include:

• Age: Young and middle-aged adults tend to suffer from gambling problems at a higher rate than older people. Gambling at a young age can also increase the chances of developing a gambling issue.
• Sex: Gambling addiction is more common in men than women. Women typically begin gambling later in life but may develop a gambling addiction more quickly than their male counterparts.
• Mental Health: Having conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, or bipolar disorder can increase the risk of developing gambling addiction. Many people with gambling problems also struggle with substance use or other mental health issues.
• Social Environment: Being around friends, coworkers, or communities where gambling is common or encouraged can raise the risk of developing unhealthy gambling habits.
• Family History: Having a family history of gambling addiction or other addictive behaviors can increase the likelihood of developing a gambling disorder.
• Personality Traits: Traits like impulsivity, high competitiveness, and a tendency to get bored easily can make someone more vulnerable to gambling addiction.

Co-Occurring Disorders with Gambling Addiction

Many who suffer from gambling addiction also suffer from other mental health or substance abuse issues. A co-occurring disorder occurs when a person has more than one addiction or mental health condition.

Gamblers often suffer from substance abuse or mental health disorders as well. Suicidal thoughts and actions are nearly four times greater in those with gambling addiction.

According to the National Center for Responsible Gaming, those who suffer from gambling addiction are far more likely to also suffer from the following conditions:

• Substance use disorder
• Personality disorders (such as BPD or OCD)
• ADHD
• Mood disorders
• Psychiatric disorders such as impulse control disorder

Gambling Addiction Screening and Assessment Tools

It’s essential to catch any gambling issue as early as possible. Healthcare professionals can identify gambling disorders using several approved screening tools.

One of the easier-to-use tools is the Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS). It’s a simple screening tool consisting of three questions to determine if further screening and assessments are needed.

Another screening tool is the Lie-Bet tool. The Lie-Bot is a two-question tool, and further assessment is needed if a person answers yes to one or both questions.

Other screening tools include:

• NODS-CLiP
• NODS-PERC
• The DSM-5 criterion for pathological gambling
• NORC Diagnostic Screen
• The South Oaks Gambling Screen

The National Council on Problem Gambling has made many screening tools accessible.

Treatment for Gambling Disorder

While some people develop a gambling problem and can stop it alone, most people must address it professionally to recover from gambling addiction successfully.

As with other forms of addiction, not every treatment works for every person. Knowing the different treatment options available is important for choosing your best option.

Therapy (CBT and DBT) for Gambling Disorder

As with substance addiction, many who suffer from gambling addiction choose to go to therapy for help. Behavioral therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), is the most successful therapy for treating gambling addiction.

Behavioral therapy helps the person suffering from the gambling problem better understand how they ended up in their position so they can try and prevent it from happening again.

Medication for Gambling Addiction

Currently, no medications are FDA-approved specifically for treating gambling addiction.

However, some medications might be able to help manage symptoms, especially in people with co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or impulse control disorders.

Research suggests that the following types of medications may be helpful:

• Opioid antagonists such as Naltrexone and Nalmefene, which can help reduce gambling urges by affecting the brain’s reward system.
• Antidepressants such as Zoloft (sertraline) and Paxil (paroxetine), which may help treat underlying depression or anxiety that can contribute to compulsive gambling behavior.

Medication is typically used alongside therapy for the most effective results.

Gambling Addiction Support Groups

The success of 12-step support groups for substance abuse has led them to expand to help people with other addictions, such as gambling.

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is the most popular of all gambling-related support groups. It operates the same way AA and NA do, utilizing the 12 steps to help guide those participating through their recovery.

Family and Loved Ones of a Problem Gambler

Gambling addiction doesn’t just affect the gambler; it can also hurt their family, friends, and loved ones.

For those family members and loved ones of a gambling addict, Gam-Anon is a great self-help resource to get the help they need. Gam-Anon is a 12-step support group designed specifically for those who have a loved one who is dealing with a gambling problem.

Like Al-Anon for alcoholics, Gam-Anon provides a safe and supportive environment for the loved ones of a gambler. Gam-Anon can also help them better understand what their loved one is going through with their gambling addiction.

Get Help For Your Gambling Problem

Gambling addiction can leave a person in financial ruin. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, it is essential to get help immediately. The National Council on Problem Gambling has a confidential helpline available 24 hours a day: 1-800-522-4700.

You can also call the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or visit their online program locator to find addiction treatment options in your area.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
• Editor

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.