Gambling and sports betting are interconnected. The danger of gambling lies in the confidence in their actions. You can analyze events and statistics, forgetting about passion, addiction and addiction. In this material, we will figure out how to notice gambling addiction in time and not bring the situation to a really dangerous pathology.
Causes, symptoms and stages of betting gambling
Ludomania is a pathological addiction to gambling, leading to moral and financial collapse, social alienation of the individual.
Such dependence on gambling, which leads to serious consequences, is referred to by psychiatrists as non-chemical addictions. In 2018, the World Health Organization added gambling addiction to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
Why do games in a bookmaker's office remain entertainment for some, while for others they turn into pathology? Scientists have not decided on an exhaustive list of causes of gambling addiction.
According to various studies, the causes of gambling addiction in the field of sports betting are:
- features of the psychodynamics of different people: being included in a certain cycle, a person begins to repeat it and cannot stop;
- cognitive dysfunction: a person ceases to control his actions from a rational point of view, believes in success, a lucky break, good luck;
- social influence: passion for gambling since childhood, games in the company of friends, interest in sports, etc.;
- the desire for quick enrichment, the problems of the financial plan.
If the causes of gambling addiction are a matter of hotel studies, then the list of its symptoms is recognized by most experts:
- narrowing the scope of former hobbies: betting at a bookmaker's office replaces most other interests;
- alienation from family, friends, work colleagues;
- the constant desire to bet on sports even during other activities;
- psychological discomfort, irritation, nervousness, panic attacks at times when it is not possible to play in a bookmaker's office. Strengthening of these symptoms leads to insomnia, headaches, loss of the ability to concentrate, aggressive behavior;
- during the game, it is characterized by the inability to interrupt it, as well as a constant increase in the size of the bet, unreasonable confidence in the mandatory wagering;
- From time to time, the patient gives himself and those around him an oath promise to "tie up", which means nothing.
There are several stages of ludomania.
- Euphoric subcompensation. This stage is also called the winning stage. They mean not so much financial earnings as the pleasure of the game.
- Loss stage. Emotional dependence increases, and pleasure becomes less and less. Financial problems are involved.
- Disappointment and decompensation. A person realizes that he cannot win and earn on bets, but in no case does he want to give up the game.
- Despair and hopelessness. At this stage, it is not the desire to win that forces the player to place bets at the bookmaker's office. He simply cannot do without them and tries to illusory enter a new cycle, to feel the effect of euphoria, the joy of subcompensation.
How to get rid of sports betting addiction
At the stage of development of a real pathology, it is almost impossible to fight it on your own. It is important to do everything in advance so that gambling addiction does not become your diagnosis. To do this, follow these rules and recommendations:
- do not open numerous accounts at bookmakers;
- do not replenish deposits in the BC for amounts that are significant for your personal or family budget;
- do not consider sports betting as a way to earn money;
- limit the game to a strict number of wagers or a period of time;
- in no case do not rush to win back recklessly even if you have suffered several defeats in a row, just stop.
Activities of bookmakers in the fight against gambling addiction
The betting sites offer the following tools:
- information sections about responsible gambling;
- special options when registering an account: you can set the maximum amount of money put down per day, the number of allowed bets, the time of playing live;
- links to the websites of special international organizations providing assistance to gamblers - Center for Ludomani, Gambling Help Online, Gambling Therapy, GamCare, etc.;
- players under 18 are not allowed.