Gambling is growing in New Zealand. With the ease of worldwide digital access, global online gambling is growing fast as well. Protecting people from the harms of gambling is an important financial topic that we at Save My Bacon feel strongly about.

It's also an emotional and health topic. Whether people like it or not, gambling and emotions are linked... The excitement of winning, enjoyment of socialising but other emotions too, like stress, regret and guilt, which most gamblers feel at some point. Most of the time, people are aware of the harm linked to gambling and want to stop it. But often it doesn't matter HOW much we yearn for something with every fibre of our being...

...people often get hijacked by their brains and repetitive behaviour when they don't have a clear goal, milestone or step.

These days, to learn/quit/change/improve something, it's crucial to look at switching abstract goals into measurable goals because lofty, intangible tasks like 'stop gambling' or 'don't go to the casino' simply don't work. You see, an abstract goal is pretty much GUARANTEED to have your wheels spinning with indecision and overwhelm. And as we all know... that's the fastest route to defeat. It's like me saying to you, "Be more confident !" Or "Make more money!" Or "Get fit!" It's too vague. That's why abstract goals almost always lead to paralysis, procrastination, or worse: failure. Why am I banging on about this? Because if you or someone you know is having problems with gambling, it's possible that it's not just about one thing, and getting information and support could be the first CLEAR STEP. So, here are four things that anyone should be aware of when it comes to gambling.

Gambling-related emotional stress

Gambling is a game of emotions, most of which are negative. It's easy to overlook this aspect of gambling, but these emotions can quickly accumulate. People may become irritable, easily annoyed, or simply stressed as a result. People start to feel the effects of gambling all of a sudden. It might not happen right away... but the important point is to remember that gambling isn't just about money. It's all about how people think and behave.

Dopamine, a neurotransmitter released by the brain during pleasurable activities like eating, is also released in situations where the reward is unknown, such as gambling. In fact, dopamine production increases in the moments leading up to a possible reward. It's also likely to play a role in reinforcing gambling's risk-taking behaviour patterns. As a result, the hormones in the brain keep people addicted to the feelings and emotions that gambling can produce.

Health issues from gambling

We're seeing an uptick in mental health issues as a result of the pandemic: isolation, fear of infection, joblessness and other challenges have all harmed many people's mental health around the world. Financial insecurity is also on the rise. Gambling can be used to escape problems or to alleviate feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, and depression. Which just doesn't help. It might even make these feelings worse.

Another serious health issue is that gamblers frequently isolate themselves due to feelings of guilt or shame or because they have borrowed money from friends or family to fund their gambling. Gambling has the potential to control one's thoughts and, as a result, one's mental health. Even when they are not gambling, problem gamblers frequently claim they are still thinking about it. Some have even mentioned dreaming about gambling. Gamblers can lose interest in maintaining genuine personal relationships as their preoccupation with gambling intensifies and consequently suffer from social isolation.

Starting the conversation about gambling

Here's some more information that might come in handy if you ever have to have a gambling conversation with someone. Every gambler affects between 5 to 10 people, so not only the person who gambles is affected by the gambling problem, which has recently been reclassified as a gambling disorder. It's one of the few addictions that doesn't require the ingestion of a substance. Gambling disorder, like other forms of addiction, is a solitary and isolating experience. 

Women, on the whole, prefer chance-based games, whereas men generally prefer skill-based games. Men attempt to impose some level of skill even in games that are primarily chance-based due to the illusion of control. Another issue to consider is that women (in general) dislike it when they lose in front of others. Because no one can watch the player lose money on a slot machine, it's usually a guilt-free, private activity. Men, on the other hand, have a machismo that says, "Yes, I've lost $500, but I can afford it." Being aware of the ways different people behave and their gambling habits can also be stepping stones to changing the behaviour.

Taking back control of your gambling

Gamblers frequently fail to see alternatives to their gambling; many believe that the only way out of the financial hole that gambling has dug for them is to gamble their way out... Bills aren't paid, and debts mount. How to get out of debt is a typical challenge for people who have a gambling issue. People may believe that the only way to repay debts incurred via gambling is to keep gambling, so they feel fully caught in a loop. People can always regain control, so that isn't the only option.

People can look at the effective treatments for gambling addiction or check out local resources available to help people with gambling addiction.