The popularity of online betting and sports betting has risen in the United States, with the American Gaming Association reporting total revenue from casino games, sports betting, and iGaming reached $66.52 billion, a 10% increase over the previous record set in 2022.
Nobody should participate in online betting or gambling because of the increased risk of gambling disorders that can lead to mental health and relationship issues.
For most adults, gambling remains a form of entertainment. However, 2.5 million adults in the U.S. meet the criteria of having a severe gambling problem, characterized by compulsive gambling and the urge to gamble even at a great personal cost, according to the U.S. World News and Report.
Pathological gamblers often find themselves preoccupied with gambling, using it as a means to escape their problems.
In addition, pathological gambling can severely impact a person’s mental health, often leading to feelings of depression, guilt, and anxiety. Neurologically, gambling affects the brain similarly to drugs, increasing dopamine release and altering reward pathways.
Furthermore, pathological gamblers tend to have higher addiction rates to substances like nicotine and alcohol than the general population, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse(NIDA).
Gambling’s effects on mental health even transcend into physical health as gambling-related stress in casinos leads to chronic stress and hence physical consequences like cardiovascular disease, according to the Mental Health Foundation.
Many pathological gamblers go on gambling streaks that can last multiple days, leading to sleep deprivation and cognitive impairment. The level of cognitive dissonance that these gamblers have is unmatched as they “chase” for the “big win” that will solve it all.
Gambling also notoriously causes problems in relationships, according to the Promises Behavioural Health. Financial issues from gambling lead to hostility between family members, a common cause of depression.
Additionally, gamblers often have in-place defense mechanisms because they are ashamed of their behavior and will defend it at all costs.
The chaos that ensues within these relationships leads to higher reported levels of domestic violence, likely because of the behavioral problems that arise from intense gambling.
Ultimately, the general population should be wary before engaging in gambling as 1-3% become pathological gamblers with many adverse consequences. Since addiction-based disorders are known to be hereditary, individuals with previously or currently addicted relatives must stay away from gambling for the sake of their health.
It’s essential to recognize that gambling isn’t just a financial risk—it’s a complex issue affecting the mind, body, and relationships.