Gambling Addiction And Compulsive Gambling

Like most other emotional states, Gambling addiction is the result of a combination of biological weaknesses, ways of thinking, and social parameters. The worst way to think about such serious problems is to pretend you know something (or everything) about it. Nobody can really understand or feel exactly what the endangered player is experiencing. And not all compulsive players are the same – every person is unique. If you feel close to the edge and need help with gambling problems, read these very useful tips on responsible gaming.

Players can be broadly classified as active players and escape players. Action players are mostly men, started playing early, are intelligent, competitive, dominant, and prefer games that require skill, such as poker. You have euphoric feelings, similar to a cocaine rush. Escape players, on the other hand, prefer games of chance such as slot machines or the lottery. They play to escape other problems and are free from physical and emotional pain when playing.

The chemical rush creates overstimulated feelings of interest and excitement for the addict, a reaction that did not occur in non-addicts. The addictive dopamine rush occurred before each gamble and in response to stimulation, suggesting that the gamble would take place soon, such as the image of a slot machine or the person’s favorite casino. 

If the substance caused addiction, everyone would become an alcoholic. When it comes to gambling, the triggers in the brain of compulsive gamers turn out differently than in other people’s minds. Scientists don’t know why that happens. There could be a genetic component. But the deciding factor is the person, not the game. In fact, an investigation involving small groups of players shows that pathological gamblers have a chemical gambling addiction that causes in their brains the same type of “hyperactive dopamine response” that occurs in people who abuse hard drugs. It’s pretty eye-catching and scientifically proven: the gambling addicts have too many clinical similarities to cocaine addicts.

Problematic behavior is indicated by the following:

  • Busy with gambling. Think about past gaming experiences, hinder or plan the next business, or think about how you can make money to play with.
  • You have to play with more and more money to achieve the desired tension.
  • Escape. Gamble to improve mood or escape problems.
  • To hunt. Trying to recover game losses with more games of chance.
  • Lies to family members, therapists, or others to hide the extent of gambling participation.
  • Commitment to illegal acts such as counterfeiting, fraud, theft, or embezzlement to finance gambling.
  • Endangered or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity from gambling.
  • Rely on others to provide money to alleviate a desperate financial situation caused by gambling.

Some of the above symptoms are complete nonsense or, to put it another way; they are rooted in human nature.

Dealing with gambling addiction is not an easy task. Treating problem gambling includes counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), step-by-step programs, self-help, peer support, medication, motivational interviews, or a combination thereof. However, no single treatment is considered to be the most effective, and no drugs to treat pathological gambling have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

Player Ruin: The Gambler’s Ruin Theory

In its simplest form, Gambler’s ruin theory deals with how much money a player needs, what advantage he needs, and at what level the player should play. It is a necessity for any serious benefit player to maximize the win rate while minimizing the risk. At some point during your game, most likely during a long losing streak, you will be tempted to exaggerate your advantage. This can lead to very poor results. 

The term random walk is an analogy used by mathematicians, in which you equate the desired result, the EV being realized when the number of events (hands) increases. The analogy is equated with a drunk who runs out of a pub and tumbles to the bus stop. He will arrive at the bus stop at some point, but the path will be subject to many obstacles. The path is not the most direct.

The downside is that gambling with an edge is also at risk, and the player has to take reasonable precautions to ensure that they don’t lose their money. The precautionary measures provide that there is enough bankroll to withstand any negative fluctuations. Think about it like this: You are playing the classic coin toss against me with your head or number. Every time the head comes, you get two euros and lose one when the number comes – sounds like a profitable bet for you. But you should have more than five euros to wager because a series could very easily come up. You have to survive this possible streak to win in the end, so you need an appropriate bankroll.

Additional risk management strategy

An additional risk management strategy is to cut your steak in half after losing half of your original stake. The overall probability of ruin is reduced to the original risk of ruin multiplied by the square root of the original risk of return. This should not be used as a reason for betting too high.

Another consideration is the player’s financial strength. If you have a solid six-figure income, you can afford not to be too conservative with your bankroll. This also affects the general psychological factors that come into play. As already mentioned, playing has an enormous psychological component. A certain level of mental hardness is required to overcome the negative fluctuations and persevere until positive expectations are fulfilled.

Gambler’s ruin theory is a key concept to ensure that players don’t go bankrupt. In this way, you will find the right balance between risk and return. If you are too aggressive, you increase the likelihood of bankruptcy. If you are too conservative, leave money behind and do not maximize earnings potential. Every player will suffer a defeat at one time or another and will want to deviate from the set strategy to get the money back quickly. But it is important that we trust mathematics and “wait” for the money. Don’t force it, and it will come. In this case, patience is a virtue.