Introduction to
Gambling Addiction:
Presentation by Samuel Kimbowa
Psychotherapist MOH: Butabika Hospital
23rd January 2025
Objectives of this presentation.
• By the end of this presentation
participants will;
• Learn to recognize key
behavioral patterns of
gambling addiction
• Explore the psychological,
social, and environmental
triggers that contribute to
gambling addiction.
• Highlight the personal,
relational, and societal
impacts of gambling addiction.
Understanding the behavioural
patterns and triggers
• Definition: Betting/gaming
addiction, AKA pathological
gambling in uncontrollable urge to
keep gambling despite harmful
consequences.
• Its recognized as a behavioural
addiction similar to substance
abuse due to its effect on the brain
reward system.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND
• Affects about 5% of the population
globally leading to financial, social
and mental health issues.
Behavioural patterns for an
individual addicted to betting and
gaming activities
• Chasing losses:
compulsive efforts to
recover money lost in
betting activities often
results into deeper
financial trouble.
• Preoccupation with
betting: Persistent
thoughts about betting
activities, strategies or
past experiences,
Betting and gaming context in
Uganda
• Betting is regarded as a social
and leisure time activity in
Uganda.
• However, there are still
regulatory and social concerns
particularly among the youth.
• A study found that 31% of
Ugandan youth engaged in
betting activities with 46% of
them reporting significant
financial losses.
Myths and facts about betting and gaming
addiction
• Myth: Gambling is a financial problem
• Fact: Gambling addiction is a
behavioural and psychological issue,
not merely financial.
• Myth: only weak-willed individuals
become addicted.
• Fact: addiction in influenced by
heredity, brain chemicals and
external factors.
• Myth: You have to gamble daily to be
addicted
• Fact: problem gambling is defined by
behaviour and consequences not
frequency
Common triggers and risk factors
• Environmental triggers:
Proximity to betting places,
availability of online platforms,
and advertisements.
• Emotional states: Stress,
loneliness and boredom may
often lead to betting as a form of
escape.
• Socioeconomic factors:
poverty and financial stress are
significant risk factors,
particularly in low income
countries like Uganda.
Impact of betting and gaming
addiction
• Financial consequences: its
leads to debts, bankruptcy,
and loss of assets, severely
impacting financial stability.
• Social isolation: Addiction
damages relationships,
leading to alienation from
Family and friends.
• Mental health decline:
addiction often co-exists with
anxiety, depression, substance
abuse and suicidal tendencies.
Key warning signs for betting and
gaming addiction
• Criteria: preoccupation, tolerance,
withdrawal, chasing losses, and
jeopardizing significant
opportunities.
• Key warning signs: Lying about
betting or gaming activities, failed
attempts to stop, and using betting
to relieve negative symptoms.
• Insight: studies indicate only 10%
of problem gamblers seek formal
treatment due to stigma and lack of
awareness
How people become addicted
• Brain chemical and reward
systems: Gambling activates the
brain’s reward system releasing
pleasure chemicals leading to
addictive behaviour.
• Role of variable rewards:
unpredictable outcomes stimulate
high dopamine release.
• Impact of long-term gambling:
Chronic gambling alters brain
structure reducing impulse control
and increase compulsive behaviours
Prevention and awareness
• Public awareness campaigns:
to inform the public about
responsible gaming to reduce
risks associated with addiction.
• Community engagement:
local initiatives to promote other
healthier activity to reduce
addiction.
• Policy and regulation: strict
enforcement on accessibility,
proper advertising, disclaimers,
age, duration of play in the day
etc.
Conclusion
• Understand the issue:
Gambling addiction is a complex
behavioural and psychological
disorders with wide reaching
impacts.
• Effective intervention:
Combining awareness, prevention
and personalized treatment offers
a path to recovery
• The road ahead: Global
collaboration and technological
innovations are vital for
addressing this challenge.
Thank you for listening
Questions, comments are welcome
[email protected] 256-782-777-641
