Playing it safe: Exploring problem gambling

| March 12, 2025
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Note: some information in this post is adapted from materials created by the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling.

What do parlays, money lines, scratch offs, spreads, and bingo have in common?

If your answer is gambling—you are correct!

So…how did it feel to bet that you knew (or might have known) that answer? That “rush” of possibly being right is your brain’s reward system being activated. Win or lose, the act of gambling releases dopamine, adrenaline, and other neurotransmitters which lead to feelings of pleasure, excitement, and arousal.

Because of this release, it may be very easy to continue betting, especially as you consider the social and financial benefits that can accompany a wager.

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, which aims to increase public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

Keep in mind that there is nothing inherently wrong with gambling. In fact, 90.4% of Marylanders reported in a 2022 survey by the University of Maryland School of Medicine that they have at some point gambled. Of those, 4% met the criteria for disordered gambling. Male respondents (6.8%) were more likely to meet the problem gambling criteria than female respondents (2.6%)

Though these numbers for problem gambling seem low, there are many risk factors for students (academic stress, financial distress, substance abuse, mental health problems, and peer pressure) that can increase their chances of experiencing this treatable medical condition. Understanding what problem gambling is, warning signs that it may be occurring, ways to prevent it, and resources for support are important to know if you decide to gamble.

What is problem gambling?

Gambling is defined as “any activity that involves risking something of value, including but not limited to money or property, on an event whose outcome is uncertain.”

Problem gambling has two distinct features:

  1. Impaired control, or not being able to stick to limits of the amount of money and/or time spent gambling; and
  2. Personal emotional, financial, relationship, or legal problems (negative life consequences) caused by gambling.

There are many ways to bet, including casinos, gaming machines, lottery games, horse races, bingo, private games, sports events, fantasy sports, online wagering, and any other kind of gambling activity. Be aware of these different types of gambling so you know when you are partaking in gambling activities and to help identify warning signs of a potential problem.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling at the University of Maryland School of Medicine has identified the most common signs of problem gambling to be:

  • Spending more money than intended on gambling.
  • Gambling for longer periods of time than intended.
  • Getting into serious financial trouble because of gambling.
  • Lying to cover up gambling losses.
  • Using gambling to escape personal problems and distressing feelings.
  • Thinking about gambling all the time.
  • Being unable to set limits.
  • Gambling despite losing more than you can afford.
  • Problems paying bills because of gambling losses.
  • Gambling to cover losses.
  • Destroying families and relationships because of gambling.
  • Borrowing or stealing money from family, friends, or employers to keep on gambling.
  • Experiencing poor job performance or losing a job because of gambling.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these warning signs, it is very important to seek help. The sooner they can connect with resources, the better their outcome will be. With problem gambling being a treatable medical condition, there are ways to enjoy the excitement of gambling and to prevent it becoming a problem by practicing prevention tips.

Gambling Problem Prevention Tips

As mentioned before, there is nothing wrong with gambling. It is a common way to engage in entertainment, interact socially with others, and play games that you enjoy. To keep it fun, here are tips to consider from the Maryland Center on Problem Gambling and Responsible Play.org when choosing to gamble:

  • Gamble for entertainment, not to make money. Stay focused on the fun aspect of gambling. Make sure you understand the odds and house edge. Over time, the house always wins.
  • Set a budget and time limit BEFORE you start to gamble and stick to it. Commit to how long you want to gamble and how much money you are willing to lose prior to gambling to avoid gambling more than you can afford.
  • Never chase losses, and take a break if you’re not having a good time. Hope to win but expect to lose. Remember: you’re playing to have a good time. When gambling is no longer fun, take a break.
  • Team up with a friend. Accountability works! Help each other stick to your personal betting plans and boundaries.
  • Don’t mix drinking and gambling. When alcohol is involved, your decision-making skills are impaired, which can lead to gambling experiences that you may later regret.
  • Balance gambling with other recreational activities. There are other ways to have fun that do not include gambling. Alternate recreational and entertainment activities to ensure you are not focused only on gambling.

Resources

If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more or talking with someone around gambling, here are resources that can help.

Johns Hopkins Resources

Maryland Resources

National Resources