What is problem gambling

The definition of what constitutes a gambling problem has been the source of much academic and community debate. For a country such as ours with a strong history of gambling, it is no wonder that there has been such difficulty defining “problem gambling” and many of those affected by the impacts of it will tell you that this lack of community awareness of the issues they face can directly affect their ability to seek help and knowledge about where to go for support.

It is therefore in all our interests to inform ourselves about this issue and help others identify and seek support. Being alone in the face of a gambling problem can be devastating for both families and the gambler themselves – many are in a state of depression and gambling has a high risk of suicide attached to it.

Defining the problem has been difficult for those directly involved in it and unlike drug or alcohol problems there are few tell tale signs. Denial is a primary cause of people not seeking help and the shame attached to this behavioural disorder can mean individuals and families are quietly suffering in silence.

Thanks to our increasing awareness of the problem and the development of some gambling specific services, knowledge is starting to disseminate and more people are able to identify the symptoms earlier. The Gambling Impact Society is committed to increasing public awareness about problem gambling and therefore encourages articles from individuals and organizations to share views and debate the complexities of defining problem gambling. However, for starters we would like to provide an overview of the nature of problem gambling.

“Problem gambling,” as it is now often referred to, is most often defined as a behavioural disorder involving gambling activity that causes social, relationship and financial difficulties. GA’s twenty questions are most often used as a helpful tool for consumers, whilst the South Oaks Gambling Screen is most often used by counsellors to help define the problem at an individual level. Both tools endeavour to gain the extent of gambling activity, the affects on relationships, the nature of the activity (whether hidden or open) and the extent of borrowing and financial commitment to the activity.

The following figure illustrates a model for understanding the process by which problem gambling operates - developed by Mitchell Brown (counsellor at Wesley Gambling Counselling Service) the diagram identifies the pattern of activity often present in someone who may have developed a problem with gambling. The diagram is often used to help summarise a person’s experience of gambling and can be used as a tool in a therapeutic interview, helping the individual identify behaviour and triggers to that behaviour.

The desire to escape may be caused by stress, loneliness, boredom, depression or a range of emotionally painful states. Gambling is often an effective mood changing behaviour that can help people cope with painful feelings; however, the activity itself can go on to cause further painful feelings and this is where the cycle begins.

For some the desire to win may be the point of establishing and maintaining gambling behaviour. But winning itself is often not the main driving force. Gamblers will often tell you that “being in action” is the sustaining force that keeps them gambling. Some of the main difficulties are experienced within the destructive inner-cycle of chasing whereby the gambler attempts to recover losses in the same way he/she created them — continuing to gamble.

Such behaviour is doomed to failure, thus leading to further emotional pain and financial crisis. When people become entrenched in this cycle they become more committed to the process and increasingly denial, dishonesty, secrecy and blame are used to defend and maintain their gambling.

However, many have found that by identifying this pattern they are able to observe their behaviour and start taking strategies to break the cycle. This is not easy, and as anyone involved with this issue will tell you nothing infuriates him or her more than people saying, “Well, why can’t you just stop?”.

Problem gambling is a psychological disorder similar to an addiction — if it was easy to just stop there would be no need for this website or the 40 or so gambling specific services across the State.

Most importantly, each gambling problem is specific to that individual and their family, what may work for one person may not work for another. Skilled help through counselling, gambling programs and self-help groups have all been shown to help but its “horses for courses” - people need options and programs tailored to their needs.

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Disclaimer - The opinions expressed in this website are not necessarily those held by the Gambling Impact Society (NSW) Inc. No responsibility will be accepted for anything that may occur as a result of anyone relying on the information and opinions contained in the website.