Understanding Gambling and Your Mental Health
If you’re reading this, you might be concerned about your gambling habits or worried about someone close to you.
You’re not alone. With 57% of Australian adults gambling each year, many people are seeking to better understand their relationship with gambling and its impact on their wellbeing.
How Gambling Affects Our Community
Australians spend over $21.2 billion on gambling annually, but the cost isn’t just financial. The impact reaches deep into our communities, affecting mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life. Understanding how different forms of gambling affect us psychologically can help in making informed decisions about our gambling habits.
Different Types of Gambling and Their Mental Health Impact
Poker Machines (Pokies)
Poker machines represent one of the most psychologically complex forms of gambling in Australia. Despite only 16% of adults playing, pokies account for an astounding $10.2 billion in spending.
Their design incorporates features specifically created to maintain player engagement: frequent small wins create a sense of hope, while near-misses trigger the same psychological reward pathways as actual wins.
The sophisticated combination of lights, sounds, and win patterns can induce a trance-like state that players often describe as “the zone” – a place where stress and anxiety temporarily fade away.
The use of credit systems instead of real money further disconnects players from the reality of their spending. This psychological distancing, combined with the rapid pace of play, makes pokies particularly challenging for mental wellbeing.
Many people find themselves using poker machines as a way to escape from difficult emotions or situations, leading to a cycle that can be hard to break.
Sports and Race Betting
The landscape of sports and race betting has transformed dramatically with the advent of mobile technology. This form of gambling has become particularly prevalent among young Australian men, largely due to aggressive marketing and the constant availability of betting opportunities through smartphone apps.
The integration of betting into sports culture has created a concerning normalisation of gambling behaviour.
What makes sports betting particularly challenging for mental health is its perceived element of skill. Knowledge of sports or racing can create an illusion of control, leading people to believe they can outsmart the system.
The combination of 24/7 accessibility and the social nature of sports watching can mask problematic behaviour, making it harder to recognise when casual betting becomes harmful.
Lotteries, Scratch Tickets, and Keno
These traditional forms of gambling remain the most widely accepted in Australian society, with 42% of adults participating in lotteries.
Their widespread availability and relatively low cost per play often mask their potential impact on mental health. The routine of regularly purchasing tickets can become deeply ingrained, creating patterns of magical thinking where players believe they’re “due for a win” or that certain numbers or times are luckier than others.
The cumulative financial impact of these seemingly small purchases often goes unnoticed, yet can contribute significantly to financial stress.
The hope of a life-changing win can become a psychological crutch, preventing people from addressing underlying financial or personal challenges in more practical ways.
Casino Table Games
Casino environments are carefully designed to encourage extended play, combining elements of chance with perceived skill in ways that can powerfully affect mental health.
The social atmosphere and use of chips instead of cash create a psychological buffer from the reality of spending. The mix of skill-based elements in games like blackjack or poker with pure chance can lead to overconfidence and distorted thinking about winning probabilities.
Regular casino visitors may develop complex rituals and beliefs about their playing strategies, leading to a false sense of control over random outcomes. The late-night operating hours can disrupt sleep patterns and decision-making abilities, further impacting mental wellbeing.
Recognising When to Seek Support
Changes in behaviour often signal that gambling may be affecting your mental health. These changes might include thinking about gambling during important moments with family, spending more time or money than you can afford, feeling restless when trying to cut back, or using gambling to cope with stress or low mood.
If you find yourself hiding your gambling activities or borrowing money to continue playing, these are important signs that it’s time to seek support.
Understanding the Reality of Gambling
It’s crucial to maintain perspective about gambling odds. Consider that being struck by lightning, with odds of 1 in 12,000, is more likely than winning many gambling games.
No strategy can overcome the built-in house advantage, and previous losses don’t make a win more likely. These are mathematical facts, not matters of luck or skill.
Available Support Services
Throughout Australia, a network of professional support services stands ready to help. The Gambling Help Online service operates 24/7 and can be reached at 1800 858 858, offering free and confidential support.
Financial Counselling Australia (1800 007 007) provides expert advice on managing gambling-related money problems. Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) offers mental health support, while local GPs can arrange Mental Health Care Plans for ongoing professional support.
Recovery
Recovery from gambling concerns is possible with the right support. Consider speaking with trusted family members or friends about your concerns.
Practical steps might include using only cash for gambling activities, removing betting apps from your phone, or exploring self-exclusion programs. Many people find that developing new interests and rebuilding connections with family and friends becomes easier once they begin addressing their gambling habits.
Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s a positive step toward taking control of your wellbeing.
Every person’s experience with gambling is unique, but you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Professional support is available without judgement whenever you’re ready to take that first step.
