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The Complex Reality of Pathological Gambling
When you are watching sports and placing bets, there are some fascinating physiological and psychological processes going on in your brain. Gambling addiction is a significant problem, so let's try to understand exactly how our behavior changes while betting.
Take a look at some interesting fundamental experiments conducted by a famous behavioral psychologist Burrhus Frederic Skinner. He proved that there is a connection between a stimulus and a reaction to it.
- His study of rats’ behavior demonstrated that the most powerful addiction is formed at the point it fails to receive a desired reward having already received one – as is the case with gamblers winning and then losing a bet. If you keep winning, gradually dopamine levels will decrease and the game will become boring for you.
- Another experiment resulted in rats eventually dying by constantly pressing a pedal, which caused a discharge of electricity which stimulated the pleasure center of their brain (1).
These experiments show that if our internal and external limiters stop working, we run the risk of developing problem gambling behavior.
Nature has provided us with limiters – special areas of our brain responsible for self-control and regulation of emotions, such as fear and anxiety.
At a certain point, as long as you continue to make regular bets, you may become more dependent on the area of the brain which provides the dopamine rush than the area for self-control and anxiety, and this can lead to problem gambling behavior and addiction.
Few people know, but in fact dopamine is not a hormone of happiness. It is actually a hormone of anticipated pleasure, which means that this neurotransmitter is at its peak while waiting for your bet to win, and then subsides when your bet is played, regardless of the outcome.
Consequently, as the rush declines there is a sense of apathy, leading you to make even more bets regardless of whether you have won or not. As a result, you stop enjoying the game, despite placing further bets that only temporarily relieve the negative feelings caused by declining levels of dopamine (2).
How To Determine That You Are Currently At Risk?
There is a special assessment test for problem gambling behavior in the form of scales (3) such as “Social consequences”, “Financial consequences”, “Damaging behavior”, “Signs of depression” and “Compulsive disorder”. Let's have a closer look at them.
Financial consequences:
- Lack of a transparent planning and spending budget;
- Debts and their constant increase;
- Inability to fulfill one’s financial obligations (loan payments, utility bills, etc.) due to the impossibility of forecasting cash income.
Damaging behavior:
- Causing harm to others or yourself, including physical, which can be expressed by scratching the skin, pulling out the hair, etc.
Signs of depression:
- Long-term state of apathy;
- Feeling distressed;
- Lack of energy and reaction to pleasant events, as if nothing provides any enjoyment.
Compulsive disorder:
- Disturbing obsessive thoughts, often provoking irrational behavior.
Using these criteria, you can determine whether you are presently experiencing problem gambling behavior. If you notice that you’re showing some of these signs, then you should immediately stop gambling and seek specialist for advice.
Check If You Display Signs Of Problem Gambling
Below you will find a list of indicators by which you can understand whether you are at risk. Use it as a self-assessment test.
- The bettor needs more and more money to bet in order to experience more excitement and adrenaline rush.
- There is a feeling of anxiety and irritation when there is no access to gambling.
- It is difficult to interrupt the game and take a break.
- Obsessive thoughts about betting or how to fund betting.
- Betting as a way to get away from anxiety and depression.
- Chasing losses.
- Lying about the frequency of gambling.
- Gambling is becoming more important than actual job or study.
- Encouraging other people to place bets.
If you find yourself with more than three signs, then you should discuss this with a psychologist.
How To Avoid Falling Into Problem Gambling Behavior?
- Carefully study the rules of the game esp. hidden commissions and other terms.
- Check the license and reputation of the operator you want to gamble with.
- Do not gamble when tired, upset, anxious and vice versa in excitement and euphoria.
- Remember that alcohol, drugs and medications impair judgment, which will affect your decisions.
- Financial management: determine the amount you can spend on gambling without borrowing or using money intended for other purposes.
- Time management: determine the time you can spend on gambling, take breaks from the game, gamble at such a time of the day when you do not feel exhausted.
- Never try to chase a big loss.
- Discuss your gambling with your loved ones and a psychologist so that they can give feedback if something appears to be wrong;
- remember that the chances of winning are not so great, there is always a risk of losing.
- Do not rely on superstitions.
If you feel that you are not in control of the situation, isolate yourself from the game by using a self-exclusion tool.
Scientific research also shows that the most effective method of preventing problem gambling behavior is self-control and personal responsibility of the player (4).
To improve your mood and be filled with the right energy, focus on producing “hormones of happiness” (5).
References
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Alarming Gambling Addiction Statistics You Need to Know
Raising Awareness and Support: Problem Gambling Awareness Month
Meet our Authors
Paruyr Shahbazyan
Paruyr Shahbazyan began his business career in 2000 as a private entrepreneur. Over thirteen years, he developed a deep understanding for business and leadership, laying a solid foundation for his professional journey.
In 2013, Paruyr stepped into the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating. This online mass media platform, which he led until 2020, focused on providing in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting, earning a reputation for its quality content.
Continuing his innovative approach in 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This venture showcases his dedication to integrating advanced technology in the evolving landscape of sports betting. Through these diverse experiences, Paruyr has continuously influenced and shaped the betting industry, driving new trends and setting high standards.
| Experience | Year |
| Engaged in private entrepreneurship | 2000-2013 |
| Founder and President at Bookmaker Rating, an online platform focused on sports and betting | 2013-2020 |
| Co-founder at Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol | 2022 |
"Innovation in sportsbetting comes from a deep understanding of both technology and the human element of sports."
- Paruyr Shahbazyan, Founder, RG
Principles and Ethics
Paruyr Shahbazyan's core beliefs lie in the power of informed decision-making and integrity in the betting industry. He understands that the foundation of successful betting is not just about odds and predictions, but also about the trust and reliability of the information provided. Paruyr advocates for a betting environment where transparency and knowledge are paramount, ensuring that bettors are well-equipped with accurate data and insights.
Strategic Vision
Paruyr's vision is to revolutionize the sports betting industry through the integration of technology. He sees the future of betting as a blend of traditional sports knowledge with innovative tech solutions, like decentralized protocols, to enhance user experience and fairness. His aim is to create platforms that are not only user-friendly but also uphold the highest standards of ethical betting, contributing to a more responsible and enjoyable betting culture.
Future Perspectives
Looking towards the future, Paruyr envisions a betting landscape that is more inclusive, technologically advanced, and globally connected. He anticipates a significant shift towards more decentralized and transparent betting systems, driven by blockchain technology. Paruyr is committed to being at the forefront of this change, continuously exploring new possibilities and innovations that can redefine what it means to engage in sports betting in a digital world. His focus is on building systems that prioritize user empowerment, fairness, and the global growth of the sports betting community.
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Sol has over 20 years of experience in writing for diverse industries including sports, gambling, regulation, technology, and startups. As the Editor-in-Chief at RG, Sol brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, focusing on delivering transparent, evidence-based content grounded in thorough research. Sol's mission is to empower readers to enjoy gambling responsibly and make informed decisions, enhancing their overall experience through insightful and engaging content. Under Sol's leadership, RG prioritizes the highest standards of integrity and reliability, ensuring that all information provided is accurate and trustworthy. Sol's dedication to transparency and research-based writing helps create a responsible gambling environment where readers can truly benefit from the content. This commitment to excellence has positioned RG as a leading source of information in the gambling industry.
Experience:
- Over 20 years in writing and editing across multiple industries
- Former head of regional innovation at BMO Financial Group
- Senior Writer, Online Casino Reports
Cristina Varela Galan
Cristina used to work as a Psychology Assistant in the Bizkaia Pathological and Risky Gamblers Association. She was also part of a research team in Deusto University, specializing in pathological gambling area. While working there, she managed to develop her own project
“Exploring the association between emotional regulation, alexithymia, stressful life events and gambling in adolescent and young adult women”.
Nick Ashbourne
Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game back in 1998, and he's written about them professionally since 2014.
Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022.
Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambler team.
Sergey Demidov
Sergey has been in sports journalism since 2007 as a reporter, editor, and manager. He has covered the Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the European championships, the Stanley Cup Finals, IOC events, and many others. Sergey interviewed the sport's greatest athletes, coaches, and executives. Since 2016, he has been an Independent Senior Editor of NHL.com/ru.
Anna Kravtcova
Ph.D. in organizational psychology, an internationally certified psychologist (EuroPsy 2022, Cognitive behavioural therapy of mindfulness 2020, International Society for Emotional Intelligence 2017, Russian Psychological society 2014, American Psychological Association(Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologist) 2011), speaker of many international conferences (USA, Brazil, Portugal, Czech Republic, Russia, etc.). TEDx speaker.
