Why do people gamble?
Gambling begins for fun
My first venture into a casino began as entertainment. It was a weekend trip with my husband to attend a new car show in Las Vegas and that weekend I was introduced to the slot machine. The entertainment aspect of the slot machines faded quickly and I became hypnotized by the sounds, colors, and the rapid rolling of the slot machine reels. Each time the reels stopped, I almost won! It was exciting. Before we left the casino that Sunday, I was already planning my next visit.
This type of introduction to gambling as fun is typical. But when does gambling cross the line from being fun to being a problem?
Traumatic events can trigger problem gambling
What began as curiosity and entertainment quickly became a gambling addiction for me. For some people it could be a dare, and from others it would be a means to escape from painful situations. I never realized I was gambling to escape a personal issue I couldn’t handle. When there was a problem in the family, I drove to the casino and forgot the issue.
Gambling was such an innocent way to solve my problems. If someone close to me passed away; sitting in front of the slot machine would take the pain away. If I were disappointed, ignored, bored, or lonely; I gambled. It soon became a way of life and the coping skills I had developed over the early years of my life were forgotten. Some other types of events that can trigger compulsive gambling include:
- Abuse
- Fear
- Loss
- Pain
These events can trigger the emotional insecurity, need to feel in control or escape from reality that often happen in the minds of problem gamblers. In fact, according to Gamblers Anonymous, immaturity or the inability to handle the responsibilities of life are one of the characteristics of the problem gambler. Some people also believe the theory that compulsive gamblers subconsciously want to lose to punish themselves. However, this is up for debate.
There is help for problem gamblers
The saddest part of a person who feels compelled to gamble is that s/he can’t stop gambling. S/he has become addicted.
Today, there are ways to stop the addiction to gambling. The senior citizen, the married husband and father, or the thrill seeker who all have unbearable pain don’t have to seek relief at the casino. It will not make you feel better. Compulsive gambling is only the beginning of loss: losing retirement money, homes, and health. To seek help, check out this online Directory of International Certified Gambling Counselors. Or seek help from a support group like Gamblers Anonymous.
6:05 am
March 1st, 2011
Hi,
I really like this article ’cause it reminded me that I had the same problem 5 years ago, this article is filled with the truth. That’s why 2 years ago i’ve decided to stop going to csinos ans start playing online games for fun without investing a penny in it and i found it really exciting and not really addictive
. Maybe it is substituting one addiction for another but it is less harmful to me I believe.
9:24 pm
March 12th, 2011
As the sign post on dangerous roads reads, “Proceed with caution”. Be sure you have a healthy attitude regarding your online games.
10:07 am
October 10th, 2011
If the casinos and the government weren’t so greedy, then people wouldn’t have to drop a thousand dollars a visit, consistently without hope of getting any back, ever. Those games are there for entertainment, not to bleed mentally challenged people dry until they lose everything, especially their will to live.
I think casinos should be accountable for the lives they destroy. If they didn’t rob people blind then they would be an okay form of escaping our often cruel, stupid and heartless world. But no, the casinos get to take advantage of people to a sickening degree, with the full support of the government. It’s criminal negligence on the part of the government. I’d like to see a mentally ill person take a casino to court and see if they can get back any of their money. I’ve lost over 200 000 dollars to casinos. The casino ALWAYS wins and the people that play are pathetic in many, many, ways.
1:30 am
March 13th, 2013
You are so right on .I have had a tough year and used the slots for get away.now I lost more money than I can ever save again at my age,thinking I can make extra the casino just robbed me blind,you will never gain it’s insane to think you will.
3:05 pm
April 1st, 2013
I live with a women who I care about but she always runs to some casino when ever she get any money. like at tax time she spent all her money in two days. then she will say.. well I had fun. I think it is stupid, and now I don’t care as much as I did before for her. she works at a casino as a pit boss in the blackjack dept ..I seen pick her check on payday and spend on her way out i hate casinos now. I think I want to go back home and live like I did before,she says she will not gamble but she always finds ways to gamble.and I find myself sitting in her room all alone waiting for nothing,all that indian casinos do is make them Indians lazy. by the way I am a full blooded native American. and I seen how much that casinos give the members each and every month I seen them guys buy crack so when you go to a native casino remember you are buying crack for crackheads,,