So much is said about gambling addiction that sometimes ranks of those affected by it have almost all casino regulars. On the other hand, many people experience it and can not assess the situation or recognize the problem. In this article on Casinoz, we will analyze problem gambling to help our readers understand themselves in this matter.
Compulsive gambling reveals itself in players' poor behavior, and even its negative impact and severe consequences can not restrain them.
People with other addictions (alcohol, drugs, and so on) act similarly.
Signs of Ludomania
We should note that not all players who dedicate too much time to this hobby are addicts. There are several types of players, and several features characterize a pathological addiction to the game:
- Complete absorption in the game.
- Inability to control yourself during the game.
- Failure to stop the game.
- Negative consequences of the game (problems in the family, at work, and so on).
- Financial problems due to gambling.
The attitude of gamblers to money is also essential. Money is hardly the central goal in the process of gambling. Like all people, gamers realize that it gives freedom, safety, comfort, and even power. However, they lose awareness that the game can deprive them of everything, bankrupting them.
They refuse to understand that all casino games have a specific house edge that tips the scales in favor of the casino.
Gameplay becomes their primary goal, and the money is only a means for the game, so if they even have a big win, they tend to lose it quickly.
A person can become a victim of gambling addiction not only in a casino or slot machine hall. It can also be inspired by poker card games, betting on sports, lotteries, bingo, scratch cards, and more.
Perceptual Distortions
The money game is quite an unstable, unreliable, and inefficient way to earn money. You need excellent knowledge, extensive experience, and strong nerves to overcome the house edge in casino games. However, pathological gamblers perceive the situation not adequately. Their thinking is distorted.
- They may believe that the outcome of the cards, numbers on the roulette wheel, or symbols on the reels is not random but depends on their zeal and affection for the game.
- They usually have a lot of prejudice associated with gambling. They use talismans, happy or unhappy clothing items, choose specific dealers, gestures, phrases, place in the hall, calculate lucky days, and so on. They think that this should help to achieve the desired result.
- Gamblers may also believe that outcome of the game depends on their attitude and train of thought. Many of them consider themselves to be someone special and think that luck should reward them for it.
- They may have an unhealthy attachment to the various systems of bets, believing that they help to overcome the casino's advantage.
- Also, gambling addicts tend to forget about their losses but remember each win well and love to talk about them.
- In many cases, they endow inanimate objects involved in the gameplay with human characteristics. Hence they believe that, for example, the cards can reward or punish them. Often you can hear from players such phrases as "the Deuce can not hurt, it will not reset" and the like.
- Gamblers also like to talk about when they "almost won," believing this speaks in favor of their positive achievements. Consequently, they can not evaluate a picture of their wins and losses. Moreover, it spurs them to continue the game because the success was so close. Such cases stimulate the desire to play more than real winnings.
- All gamblers firmly believe that the money they lost is not lost forever, and they will return it. They think that a series of setbacks is a turning point.
Similar patterns of perception of reality lead to the formation of any addiction.
We should note that not all experts are unanimous about gaming addiction and assign it the status of one of the disorder forms. It becomes a severe social problem without the proper game culture.
Treating Gambling Addicts
If you find signs of gambling addiction in yourself, you should seek the help of specialists. You can also use the service from the international public organization Gamblers Anonymous International, represented worldwide.
