Gambling is closely associated with taking risks. That is why this pastime is adrenaline-fuelled and many people around the globe are so fond of it. Gambling is a way to enjoy your free time instead of a solution to your financial problems. Even though the majority of people who indulge in gambling activities realize this, approximately 1% of the population is believed to be affected by gambling problems.
According to the World Health Organization, compulsive gambling is a disorder that can ruin lives. Since there are different forms of gambling, we can outline several types of gambling addiction. Scratching a lottery ticket is also a form of gambling that can be addictive. People who are addicted to gambling are usually enticed by the idea to win easy money. But what casino fans should remember is that the odds are always in favor of the house.
Signs of a gambling problem
The symptoms that will help you to identify problem gambling are common. Unfortunately, sometimes it is hard to notice them as problem gamblers tend to hide when gambling. According to a report published on supercasinosites.com, knowing the signs of gambling addiction is important as you might help a person you love. A comprehensive study covering gambling addiction symptoms explain that the signs of a gambling problem include:
- Feelings of anxiety and stress.
- Losing control over the gambling sessions.
- Spending too much time on gambling activities.
- Betting more than the person can afford to lose.
- Irritable behavior when someone expresses concerns about the person’s gambling habits.
The hallmark sign of problem gambling is the desire to place more bets and chase losses. The gambling addiction might also have physical symptoms such as insomnia, weight loss/gain, dark circles under the eyes, and others.
Which countries are most affected by gambling problems?
A report discussing the symptoms of gambling addiction published on SuperCasinoSites delves deeper into the matter and presents a list of the countries with the highest number of problem gamblers. Australia is one of the countries with the highest problem gambling rates. According to this report, between 0.5% and 1% are affected by gambling problems and over 1.5% of the population is at risk of developing gambling-related issues.
Italy is another country that is highly affected by gambling problems. It is the second-largest gambling market in Europe, but 2.4% of Italians are classified as high-risk problem gamblers. Another country that is included on the list is the United Kingdom. Even though its gambling market is well-regulated, between 0.6% and 1% of the population are compulsive gamblers. The country’s gambling regulatory body, the UK Gambling Commission, introduced a set of measures in a bid to deter the rates of problem gamblers.
The United States is also one of the countries on the list compiled by the expert team from SuperCasinoSites. Gambling in the US is regulated on a federal and state level, meaning that each state has the right to decide whether to regulate the industry or not. Unsurprisingly, Nevada is the state reported to have the highest rate of problem gamblers, and namely 6.4% of the population.
Treatment of gambling addiction
Fortunately, it is possible to treat gambling addiction. The first step to recovery is to recognize the problem. A good number of organizations are ready to give a helping hand to problem gamblers. Furthermore, all reputable online casinos allow players to set bet/deposit/loss limits as well as request a self-exclusion.
Another way to treat gambling problems is to take antidepressant medicines. Furthermore, different recovery programs will help you tackle your gambling problem. The most important thing a compulsive gambler should remember is that it is not embarrassing to admit the problem and ask for help.
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