Many people enjoy online gambling, but there are unfortunately also a great many people who struggle with addiction because of it. The reasons that people develop addictions are varied and are still widely being studied. Despite the variety of reasons for addictions, some are more common than others.
I´ll explain some of the most common reasons in greater detail to you.
Reasons that online gambling is so addictive
Convenience and accessibility
One of the reasons online gambling is so addictive is that it can be done from any location, so long as you have access to an internet connection. This means that players can basically gamble whenever they want, even during work if they want to.
The sheer accessibility of online gambling makes it easier for people to hide their gambling behaviour as well. This can lead to them sustaining their addiction further, as their friends and family remain unaware of the problematic behaviour. This combination of these two factors can lead to people spending far more time and money gambling than they would ordinarily be comfortable with. This leads to a greater risk of addiction.
The rush of winning
A key factor in the player’s decision to keep playing is the rush they experience when they win. Winning releases dopamine in the brain, which is associated with pleasure and reward. This rush can be particularly intense in online gambling, as the rapid pace of play and instant gratification of wins can create a continuous loop of rewards and reinforcement. This constant reinforcement can lead to individuals seeking out the rush of winning again and again, increasing the risk of addiction. Once they’ve become used to the feelings of gratification they get from gambling, they might not be able to stop.
Escapism
Escapism plays a role in the addictive nature of online gambling as it can provide an escape from stress, boredom, or negative emotions. For some individuals, gambling can serve as a distraction from everyday problems and provide a temporary sense of release and excitement. The immersive nature of online gambling and the ability to lose oneself in the game can also contribute to this escapist experience. However, this temporary escape can quickly lead to negative consequences, including financial problems and strained relationships, which can then exacerbate the original stressors the individual was trying to escape from, perpetuating a cycle of addictive behaviour.
The illusion of control
The illusion of control refers to the belief that one has control over an outcome that is actually determined by chance. In gambling, this illusion of control can lead individuals to believe that they have a better chance of winning, or that they can control the outcome of the game through skill or strategy. This belief can increase the sense of excitement and involvement in the game, making it more addictive. Additionally, the illusion of control can lead individuals to persist in gambling even when losing, as they believe they can turn the situation around with their perceived control. This false sense of control can make it easier for individuals to become addicted to gambling, as they continue to chase the excitement and potential rewards, despite the risks and negative consequences.
The availability of 24/7 games
The availability of 24/7 online games adds to the risk of developing a gambling addiction because it makes it easier for individuals to engage in excessive and continuous gambling behaviour. The 24/7 availability means that individuals can access online gambling at any time, day or night, which can increase the frequency and duration of gambling sessions. This constant accessibility can also make it more difficult for individuals to resist the urge to gamble, as the temptation is always present. The lack of physical barriers and the ability to access online gambling quickly and easily can also contribute to the development of an addiction, as it can lead to impulsive and excessive behaviour.
The use of psychological tactics to keep players engaged.
Casinos use a variety of psychological tactics to keep players engaged and increase their chances of continued gambling. These tactics include:
- Loss disguised as wins: This involves paying out small prizes that are less than the amount wagered, leading players to feel like they are winning even when they are losing.
- Near-misses: This involves outcomes that are close to winning but not quite, creating a false sense of hope and encouraging players to continue playing.
- Positive reinforcement: This involves highlighting wins and big jackpots to create excitement and encourage continued play.
- Graphics designed to create a stimulating atmosphere: This creates a festive and exciting atmosphere, making it more enjoyable to play and stay longer.
- Complimentary gifts: This creates a sense of obligation and gratitude, encouraging players to continue playing.
- Rewards programs: This creates a sense of loyalty and encourages continued play in order to earn rewards.
- The use of chips instead of cash: This abstracts the act of gambling, making it easier to spend more money.
These tactics manipulate players’ emotions and cognitive biases to keep them engaged and encourage continued play, increasing the risk of addiction. Along with these strategies, there are a number of additional cognitive biases that problem gamblers struggle with.
Cognitive biases that make gambling so addictive
Problem gamblers may struggle with several cognitive biases that contribute to their addiction. Some examples of these biases are:
Confirmation bias:
Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that refers to the tendency to favour information that confirms one’s pre-existing beliefs while disregarding information that contradicts them. It influences how people perceive, process, and recall information.
In the context of gambling, confirmation bias can lead individuals to believe that they have a winning strategy, even in the face of repeated losses. For example, a gambler may believe that a certain number is “due to come up” because it has not come up recently, despite the fact that the odds of each number coming up are the same each time. They may also interpret winning streaks as evidence of their skill, and losing streaks as mere temporary setbacks, instead of acknowledging that luck and chance play a significant role in the outcome of each game.
Confirmation bias can make it difficult for individuals to see their gambling behaviour objectively, leading them to persist in problematic behaviour even when there is evidence that their beliefs are false. This can increase the risk of addiction, as individuals become more entrenched in their beliefs and less able to see the potential harm of their behaviour.
Availability heuristic:
The availability heuristic is a cognitive bias that refers to the tendency to rely on information that is easily available or comes to mind when making decisions, regardless of its accuracy. It occurs because people tend to think that information that is easily accessible or easily remembered is more representative or relevant than information that is less available.
In the context of gambling, the availability heuristic can lead individuals to believe that a big win is more likely based on recent wins, even though the odds of winning are unchanged. For example, a gambler may believe that they are on a winning streak because they have won several games in a row, even though the outcome of each game is independent and the odds of winning remain the same.
The availability heuristic can make it difficult for individuals to see the long-term picture and accurately assess the risks and consequences of gambling. It can also lead individuals to persist in problematic behaviour, even when they are losing money, because they believe that a big win is just around the corner. This can increase the risk of addiction, as individuals become more focused on short-term gains and less able to see the potential harm of their behaviour.
Optimism bias:
The optimism bias is a cognitive bias that refers to the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of positive outcomes and underestimate the likelihood of negative outcomes. This can occur because people have a natural inclination to view the world in a positive light and to believe that good things are more likely to happen to them than bad things.
In the context of gambling, the optimism bias can lead individuals to believe that they are more likely to win, even when the odds are against them. For example, a gambler may believe that they have a “hot hand” and that their luck is about to change, even when they have been losing for an extended period of time.
The optimism bias can make it difficult for individuals to see the risks and consequences of gambling objectively, leading them to persist in problematic behaviour even when there is evidence that their beliefs are false. This can increase the risk of addiction, as individuals become more entrenched in their beliefs and less able to see the potential harm of their behaviour.
Overall, the optimism bias can contribute to a sense of false confidence in gambling and increase the risk of addiction by making it difficult for individuals to accurately assess the likelihood of winning and the potential harm of their behaviour.
Anchoring bias:
The anchoring bias is a cognitive bias that refers to the tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions. This can occur because people tend to use the first piece of information as a reference point, or “anchor,” when evaluating subsequent information.
In the context of gambling, the anchoring bias can lead individuals to believe that they have a better chance of winning if they have won a previous game or if they have won a certain amount of money. For example, a gambler may believe that they have a better chance of winning if they have already won a few games, even though the odds of winning each subsequent game remain unchanged.
The anchoring bias can make it difficult for individuals to see the risks and consequences of gambling objectively, leading them to persist in problematic behaviour even when there is evidence that their beliefs are false. This can increase the risk of addiction, as individuals become more entrenched in their beliefs and less able to see the potential harm of their behaviour.
Overall, the anchoring bias can contribute to a sense of false confidence in gambling and increase the risk of addiction by making it difficult for individuals to accurately assess the likelihood of winning and the potential harm of their behaviour.
Sunk cost fallacy:
The sunk cost fallacy is a cognitive bias that refers to the tendency to persist in a course of action because of the resources that have already been invested, even when the expected outcome is not favourable. This can occur because people feel that the resources invested have value and therefore must not be wasted, even when the cost of continuing is higher than the expected benefit.
In the context of gambling, the sunk cost fallacy can lead individuals to persist in gambling even when they are losing money, because they believe that they must keep playing in order to recoup their losses. For example, a gambler may continue to play a game even though they are losing, because they feel that they have already invested so much time and money into the game that they must keep playing to make up for their losses.
The sunk cost fallacy can make it difficult for individuals to see the risks and consequences of gambling objectively, leading them to persist in problematic behaviour even when there is evidence that their beliefs are false. This can increase the risk of addiction, as individuals become more entrenched in their beliefs and less able to see the potential harm of their behaviour.
Overall, the sunk cost fallacy can contribute to a sense of false confidence in gambling and increase the risk of addiction by making it difficult for individuals to accurately assess the likelihood of winning and the potential harm of their behaviour
These cognitive biases can make it difficult for individuals to accurately assess the risks and consequences of gambling, leading them to persist in problematic behaviour and increasing the risk of addiction.
Consequences of a gambling addiction
- Financial problems: Gambling addiction can result in significant financial losses, leading to debt, bankruptcy, and an inability to pay bills.
- Relationship problems: Gambling addiction can strain relationships and lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation. It can also cause significant stress and conflict within the family.
- Mental health problems: Gambling addiction can have a negative impact on mental health, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
- Legal problems: Gambling addiction can lead to criminal behaviour, such as theft, embezzlement, and fraud, in order to support the habit.
- Physical health problems: Gambling addiction can lead to neglect of physical health, including poor diet, lack of exercise, and substance abuse.
- Career problems: Gambling addiction can interfere with work and result in lost job opportunities, decreased productivity, and decreased income.
- Social problems: Gambling addiction can lead to a loss of interest in social activities and a decline in personal relationships and social networks.
Overall, gambling addiction can have a devastating impact on an individual’s life and can result in significant harm to their health, finances, relationships, and career.
Fortunately, recovery is not impossible. Individuals who struggle with a gambling addiction can seek help from a variety of sources. Some of the most effective strategies for overcoming a gambling addiction include things like seeking a support group or a mental health professional to assist you. A gambling addiction might feel like you´re not in control, but many people suffer from similar problems and there are many ways to deal with them.
What is important to note is that recovery from gambling addiction is a process and often requires multiple forms of treatment and support. The most effective approach will vary depending on the individual, their needs, and the severity of their addiction. However, with the right resources and support, it is possible to overcome a gambling addiction and regain control of one’s life.
