US-study: Danger of gambling addiction is higher in young people

A few days ago, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), as one of the oldest organisations for gambling issues, has published the results of a recent study on gambling behaviour. It specifically tackles the gambling behaviour of US-Americans, whereby it is notable, that the danger of gambling addiction in young people is especially high. But why is it that young people gamble more often than older people?

A few weeks ago, we discussed in our handbook, the topic of how can irresponsible gambling function. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has now published the results of a study which analysed the gambling behaviour of US-Americans and which was carried out with a total of 28,000 participants. It was notable, that there was an increased gambling risk in many young people.

Why are young people more often gambling addicted?

Within the NCPG-Study those responsible have found out, that half of the under 35 year olds having a higher risk of addiction. This fact goes hand in hand of course with the fact that affected persons tend to also suffer from a problematic or even pathological gambling behaviour. In the case of older participants in the study, the affinity to gambling was much less. It was only 10% of the participants that were found to have a worrying exposure to gambling.

According to the results of the study, the cause of an uncontrollable and dangerous gambling behaviour could be a false perception of the issue of gambling. Thus the scientists have found, that 16 out of 100 participants are convinced, that they could earn money from their gambling activities. Such a perspective is definitely dangerous, since as it is known, it is only coincidence which exclusively determines, whether one is successful or not when gambling. Those who are convinced that they can make money from gambling could become addicted to gambling much faster.

It is shocking that during the US-Study, many participants also agreed that “the chances of winning increase after losses.” Even the statement “Frequent gambling helps me to be able to win more rather than to lose“ was affirmed by some participants. It is especially young people, who much too often, have apparently a false perception of gambling. 

Is the gambling addiction the result of moral weakness?

Experiences show, that many of the sufferers, keep their addiction a secret for a very long time. This could be because many of those affected, are of the opinion that gambling addiction is a result of a moral weakness. Besides, many gambling addicts, think that they do not have enough will to resist their addiction. Therefore they end up in a “downward spiral“ which often increases the addiction. Some months ago we had already reported about a British study which examined the issue of whether young gambling addicts are more at risk to commit suicide.

Conclusion

The latest US-Study confirms the assumption that younger people are more at risk of becoming gambling addicts. Young sports betters have an especially higher risk of becoming addicted to gambling. The participants in the study often have a false perception of gambling. They are too often of the opinion, that gambling is actually a lucrative source of income and that after suffering several losses they have a higher probability of winning. However the findings refer solely to US gamblers.

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