Why Is Gambling Addiction Higher Among Athletes?
Posted: April 1, 2024
Gambling Disorder is a behavioral addiction similar to any drug/substance addiction (i.e., alcohol, cocaine)
Symptoms include:
- Higher tolerance (increase frequency and financial bets to gain same level of excitement)
- Restlessness or irritability when attempting to quit
- Preoccupied with the thought of gambling
- Uses gambling to cope with other feelings of distress including anxiety and depression.
- It has negatively impacted relationships or employment
- Conceals involvement with gambling from others
- Has made various unsuccessful efforts to stop gambling
Risk Factors are More Prevalent Among Athletes
- Young age
- The opportunity to gamble
- Social acceptance of gambling
- Easy access to money
- Risk-taking mentality
- Inside knowledge as an athlete provides an advantage in betting sphere
- Sense of invisibility
- Competitive nature