Warning Signs of a Gambling Addiction
Gambling is a common activity for both adults and adolescents. There are several signs that you should look out for, including occasional amusement. However, you should be aware that addiction to gambling can be difficult to recognize, especially if it is a new activity. Here are some warning signs of a gambling addiction:
Adolescents
There are many different causes of adolescents’ gambling. Most young people gamble because it is socially acceptable, or because they enjoy winning money. However, some young people have problems with gambling, resulting in a pathological gambling disorder. Although determining the exact causes of addiction can be difficult, several research groups have attempted to quantify the prevalence of problem gambling among adolescents. Listed below are some of the common causes and risks associated with gambling among adolescents.
Adults
Problem gambling is a serious public health problem that afflicts both children and adults, but few people are aware of the risks. Among 11-16 year olds, 11% reported having spent money on gambling within the past seven days and 36% in the past 12 months. While gambling among children has remained fairly static over the past decade, it is now becoming increasingly popular with the growth of online gambling. These companies use clever marketing strategies to encourage children to play, and as a result, children are increasingly getting addicted to gambling.
Commercial establishments
In the United States, the popularity of gambling has increased dramatically over the last two decades. In addition to the revenue generated from casino gambling, the industry has also benefited from the rise in IT technologies and the economies of developing nations. As the world’s population grows, many countries are loosening their restrictions on gambling. North America has more commercial gambling establishments than any other continent. It also has more pari-mutuel facilities, modern racinos, and other types of gambling facilities than any other region. There are now over 1,000 commercial gambling establishments in the U.S. alone, which is more than any other continent.
Insurance
Insuring is an integral part of a healthy economy, and insurance is an important tool in this process. For example, in Ghana, farmers were held back by drought risks, so researchers developed crop insurance and began selling it. Farmers began expanding their businesses and enjoyed peace of mind. Nowadays, the biggest insurance market blurs the line between gambling and insuring. Financial derivatives, like bonds and options, are often used to insure financial risks.
Religions
One recent study found a link between religion and disordered gambling. The Quality of Life Studies in North Queensland studied the relationship between religiosity and gambling. They controlled for socioeconomic status and gender, and differentiated between three dimensions of religiosity. The findings suggested that religion was an important construct for gambling frequency and amount. However, the study’s limitations need further study. A future study could address this issue and test whether religious beliefs have a causal role in disordered gambling.
Signs
If you’re wondering whether you’ve fallen victim to gambling addiction, read on. Problem gamblers don’t always exhibit clear-cut signs, but you can often recognize warning signs. Some of these signs include ignoring phone calls from bill collectors, spending excessive amounts of time away from home, and losing time at work. Another sign is persistent begging for another chance to win big money. You might also notice other changes in your personality.