The Illusion of Control: Why We Think We Can Beat Chance
The Illusion of Control: Why We Think We Can Beat Chance Most people know, intellectually, that a roulette wheel or a slot machine is governed by chance. Yet many gamblers behave as though they can influence the outcome through timing, ritual or skill. This gap between what we know and how we behave is known […]
The Physical and Emotional Warning Signs of Gambling Addiction
The Physical and Emotional Warning Signs of Gambling Addiction When people think about the signs of gambling addiction, they usually think about money: missing cash, mounting debts, unexplained withdrawals. But gambling problems often show up in the body and the mood long before the bank statements tell the full story. Because there is no substance […]
University Students and Gambling: Why Young Adults Are Vulnerable
University Students and Gambling: Why Young Adults Are Vulnerable University life brings together several factors that, combined, create meaningful gambling risk for many students — even those who’ve never gambled significantly before starting their course, and even those who consider themselves generally cautious with money. Risk factor Why it applies specifically to student life Newfound […]
Women and Gambling Addiction: A Growing but Hidden Issue
Women and Gambling Addiction: A Growing but Hidden Issue Gambling addiction has historically been framed — in research, media, and public perception — as a predominantly male issue. In reality, women make up a significant and, by some measures, growing proportion of people affected, often facing distinct barriers to recognition and support that differ meaningfully […]
The Role of Gambling Advertising in Fuelling Addiction
The Role of Gambling Advertising in Fuelling Addiction Gambling advertising is now a constant presence in UK life — on shirts, around stadium perimeters, during sports broadcasts, and throughout social media feeds. Its scale and design have a documented relationship with gambling behaviour, particularly among people already vulnerable to problem gambling, making it worth understanding […]
Gambling Addiction and Older Adults: An Overlooked Risk Group
Gambling Addiction and Older Adults: An Overlooked Risk Group When people picture gambling addiction, they often imagine younger adults. But older adults face specific and sometimes overlooked risk factors. Families and services also often miss gambling problems in later life. Awareness campaigns and research have historically focused elsewhere. Risk factor Why it applies particularly to […]
Understanding “Near Misses” and the Psychology of Almost Winning
Understanding “Near Misses” and the Psychology of Almost Winning One counterintuitive finding in gambling research concerns near misses. These outcomes count as losses but look close to a win. They can motivate people to keep gambling as much as an actual win, and sometimes more. This helps explain why gambling sessions can last far longer […]
Setting Healthy Boundaries: What Responsible Gambling Really Means
Setting Healthy Boundaries: What Responsible Gambling Really Means People often use the term “responsible gambling”, but it’s worth defining what it means in practice. It can help occasional gamblers stay within safe limits and spot when those limits start to slip. Principle What it looks like in practice Fixed budget, set in advance Treating the […]
Gambling Addiction in the Workplace: Signs Employers Should Know
Gambling Addiction in the Workplace: Signs Employers Should Know Gambling addiction doesn’t stay confined to personal life — it frequently shows up at work, sometimes in ways that are mistaken for unrelated performance or conduct issues, which can delay appropriate support being offered. Why the workplace is affected Financial pressure from gambling debt, sleep disruption […]
The Link Between Gambling and Depression
The Link Between Gambling and Depression Depression often accompanies gambling addiction, and understanding the connection can help explain why recovery rarely means simply stopping the behaviour — and why relapse can sometimes follow when people don’t also address the underlying mood difficulties. How gambling can lead to depression The financial losses, broken trust, and secrecy […]