Grasping gambling addiction

How gambling addiction manifests and its effects

Gambling has become increasingly popular nationally. In 2024, South Africans contributed over R1 trillion to the gambling industry, a 40% increase from 2023. According to a study by an online sports betting company, 70% of South African gamblers do so to supplement their income as the cost of living rises and the unemployment rate remains one of the highest globally. With gambling becoming more accessible through online betting and casinos, hundreds of thousands of South Africans struggle with what is termed ‘pathological or compulsive gambling’.

What is gambling addiction?

Compulsive gambling occurs when an individual persists in engaging in risky behaviour despite the negative consequences this habit may impose on their life. Similar to drug addiction, gambling addiction activates the brain’s reward system and can lead to even riskier behaviours such as theft or fraud to sustain the gambling habit.

“Winners know when to stop” is a message that promotes responsible gambling and adequately describes the difference between recreational and compulsive gambling. Although addiction, according to the disease model, is the inability to stop despite the desire to, recreational gamblers can stop once they start losing or when they have reached the limit they set that states how much they are willing to lose. But compulsive gamblers may keep on gambling in attempt to recover the money they have lost, ending up in a vicious and destructive cycle.

Gambling addiction is tied to psychological and emotional factors, making it more than just a financial problem. Many individuals struggling with compulsive gambling experience distorted thinking patterns, such as denial, irrational optimism and the belief that they can “win back” losses. Over time, individuals may chase the emotional highs of winning and attempt to escape stress, anxiety or depression through gambling. However, as losses increase, feelings of guilt, shame and hopelessness worsen, often leading to a vicious cycle where gambling becomes both the problem and the temporary emotional relief.

Signs and symptoms of gambling addiction

According to the South African Gambling Foundation, “There are many signs that a disordered gambler may exhibit. Normally family members, work colleagues or friends may pick up that the person becomes withdrawn, they may be tired a lot of the time, they may be asking for money or loans. They may report feeling lost or feeling hopeless. They seem worried or agitated for no apparent reason. They may be spending long periods of time away from home or at the licensed gambling venue or even participating in illegal gambling.”

If you are concerned that you have a problem with gambling, signs and symptoms include constantly planning to gamble and obtaining the funds to gamble; trying to control, cut back or stop gambling unsuccessfully, lying to loved ones about the amount you gamble and asking others to bail you out of financial trouble due to gambling the money away.

Causes and risk factors

There are dire consequences related to gambling addiction, including the obvious financial strain and debt accumulation that often occurs. However, gambling addiction can also lead to legal troubles. One of the most common legal issues associated with gambling addiction is financial crime. When gambling debts become overwhelming, some individuals turn to fraud, theft or embezzlement as a way to keep playing or pay off what they owe. This is particularly common among professionals who have access to company funds, such as accountants, business owners or employees handling financial transactions. What starts as “borrowing” money to cover gambling losses can quickly escalate into full-scale fraud, with devastating consequences once discovered.

Gambling addiction also has a profound effect on mental health and can exacerbate symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. Additionally, gambling has an effect on family, work and social relationships as addicts tend to withdraw and isolate as their addiction takes hold.

Treatment and recovery options

Professional counselling and therapy such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, group therapy and one-on-one counselling are essential for assisting with gambling addiction.

Houghton House offers both inpatient and outpatient programmes that offer these services and will guide the individual towards creating a holistic recovery plan that will address underlying causes and help with lifestyle changes.

Support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous and financial counselling would also be beneficial to support an individual’s recovery.

How Houghton House can help

In addition to the services that are offered at Houghton House, there are long-term support and relapse prevention strategies that can help with recovery after an individual leaves the formal rehabilitation environment.

In South Africa, gambling addiction is typically classified as a behavioural disorder rather than a substance addiction, which means it is not always covered by medical aid. However, for medical aid to cover treatment, the addiction must be treated in a registered rehab or psychiatric hospital that offers psychiatric benefits. This is crucial because gambling addiction often coexists with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and impulse control disorders, requiring specialised psychiatric care. Houghton House is one of the few rehabilitation centres that provide this option, ensuring that those struggling with gambling addiction can receive comprehensive, medically-supported treatment under their psychiatric benefits. This makes professional help more accessible to those who might not be able to afford private treatment outright, allowing them to break free from the cycle of addiction with the right medical and psychological support.