Problem Gambling: Changing the Odds
It’s a Sunday afternoon. The fourth quarter of an NFL game. Five seconds are left on the clock. A football sails through the uprights for a winning field gold.
For some, it’s cause for celebration. For others, it’s a heartbreaking loss. And for others, it’s the worst day of their lives.
This reflects a common Sunday experience for individuals impacted by gambling-related problems.
Similar scenes play out at slot machines, inside casinos, and in front of phones every day.
Problem gambling—from mobile sports betting to online games to casino floors—is pervasive and getting worse.
A New World
DraftKings. FanDuel. BetMGM. bet365. ESPN Bet.
That’s just a small sample of the mobile betting apps now available from the tap of a phone. The ads for those apps play during nearly every commercial break and show up every time a would-be bettor scrolls through social media.
There has never been an easier time to gamble. That also means people can lose their life savings in a matter of minutes. Add in fantasy sports, casinos, and gambling machines in bars, and you have a dangerous amount of temptation in almost every facet of life. The proliferation, convenience, and accessibility have only worsened problem gambling.
Growing Gambling Problems
The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that nearly 2.5 million adults have a severe gambling problem, while another 5 to 8 million have significant issues impacting their finances, work routine, and personal life.
Legalized gambling and technology advancements promise to increase the number. The groups most at risk of developing a gambling problem include emerging adults and adolescents, setting the stage for a life consumed with gambling.
Chasing the Win
The psychology of gambling often finds those struggling with problem gambling chasing the next win, despite the number of losses they suffer along the way. Those losses start as financial hits, but they quickly spread to negatively impact work and family. And even when they win, the competitive impulse prompts individuals to bet again as opposed to walk away.
This cycle of betting, losing, and playing again doesn’t stop. The addictive aspect leads to bankruptcy, broken families, and, in some cases, lives lost.
How We Help
We begin by identifying this as what it is: a gambling disorder—a recognized mental health condition that requires evidence-based treatment, therapeutic intervention, and community support.
Gambling—online betting in particular—is a public health concern and calls for a personal, nuanced approach.
ASAC offers help through counseling, group sessions, and direct connections to important resources, including Your Life Iowa and the National Council on Problem Gambling. We also advocate to put more responsibility on legislators, gaming corporations, and betting apps to help address problem gambling as an issue impacting our communities.
Through our work, community support, and a change in public perception, we can win against problem gambling.
Are you or someone you know struggling with gambling? Help is here.