PEOPLE GAMBLE FOR DIFFERENT REASONS

Audio version

In 2019 The UK Gambling Commission conducted research to understand the motivation behind people’s decisions to gamble. They asked 1693 people aged 18 and over why they gambled.

The research created eight typologies of gambling occasions (not types of people), so in short one person may fit more than one of the typologies at different times. What the research did highlight, was that for many people, gambling has been normalised because of gambling style activities starting throughout childhood into early adulthood. The main motivation driving gambling behaviour was the reward factor, or simply put, gambling to win. Enjoyment and fun also drove gambling behaviours, but the motivation was largely dependent upon the “situation and activity.”

WHY DO PEOPLE GAMBLE?
WHAT IS THE MAIN MOTIVATION FOR PEOPLE WHO GAMBLE?
WHAT NORMALISES GAMBLING BEHAVIOURS?
Audio version

Problematic gambling is now considered a mental disorder and is in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders fifth edition.

Problematic gambling is defined as a “persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behaviour, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as indicated by the person exhibiting four or more of the following in a 12 month period:

  1. Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement.
  2. Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
  3. Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
  4. Is often preoccupied with gambling (e.g. having persistent thoughts of reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).
  5. Often gambles when feeling distressed (e.g. helpless, guilty, anxious or depressed).
  6. After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even (chasing one’s losses).
  7. Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
  8. Has jeopardised or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
  9. Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.

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