Gambling addiction and problem gambling are different when it comes to the definition, so let’s see the difference.

• Problem gamblers usually control their gambling habit. They tempt to chase losses and make room in their everyday life for gambling. There are periods where they lose control and they stay on a thin line of becoming compulsive gamblers. 

• Compulsive gamblers have gambling disorder (gambling addiction). They can’t control their desire to gamble in any way. They keep gambling even if they win or are on the verge of losing everything. They keep on playing even if the consequences are devastating. 

In many cases problem gamblers and compulsive gamblers are associated with underlying issues such as stress, anxiety disorder, depression, ADHD, OCD, personality disorders.

From relevant research, it was concluded that while gambling your brain’s reward system gets stimulated just like alcohol. Dopamine is released which gives the gambler a sense of ”reward when you achieve something”. It’s not happiness but a feeling associated more with pleasure. Gamblers seek this feeling through gambling. 

• Latest studies stated that some individuals are more likely to have a predisposition to compulsive or problem gambling due to reward-seeking behaviors. 

• Gambling addiction is more common in men than women. The reason is that men usually gamble at younger ages while women start gambling later.

• Compulsive gamblers are usually young or middle-aged people. Some individuals start gambling in adulthood which increases the chances of gambling addiction.

• Psychological reasons such as stress, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, personality disorders, alcohol problem, are the main causes of gambling addiction.

People who feel lonely, have stress related to their job, have lost their close person, are likely to become problem gamblers or compulsive gamblers. 

Individual characteristics such as competitiveness,   restlessness may increase the risk of gambling addiction.