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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffCompulsive gambling affects both men and women and cuts across cultural and socio-economic lines. Although most people who play cards or wager never develop a gambling problem, certain factors can increase your risk:
- Other behavior or mood disorders. People who gamble often have substance abuse problems as well as mood and personality disorders. Many compulsive gamblers abuse alcohol, and close to three-fourths of compulsive gamblers experience major depression.
- Your age. You may be more likely to develop an addiction to gambling if you begin to gamble at a young age.
- Your sex. Compulsive gambling generally occurs in men ages 21 to 55, although the incidence is increasing among teenage boys. Far fewer women than men are compulsive gamblers, but women who do gamble may become addicted more quickly. Men tend to play blackjack and cards and to bet on sporting events and horse races. Women are more likely to play the slot machines and bingo.
- Location. People who live close to a casino or betting facility are more likely to develop a gambling problem. Even more problematic is access to video lotteries, sometimes called the "crack cocaine" of gambling because of their highly addictive nature.
- Family influence. If your parents had a gambling problem, the chances are greater that you will too.
- Medications used to treat Parkinson's disease. Medications called dopamine agonists, and in particular pramipexole (Mirapex), have a rare side effect that results in compulsive behavior in some people.
- Certain personality characteristics. Being highly competitive, a workaholic, restless or easily bored may increase your risk.
References
- Pathologic gambling. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed.: American Psychiatric Association;2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Questions and answers. Gamblers Anonymous. http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/qna.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Unwin BK, et al. Pathologic gambling. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- About problem gaming: FAQ. National Council on Problem Gaming. http://www.ncpgambling.org/about_problem/about_problem_faq.asp. Accessed Dec 1, 2008.
- Dodd ML, et al. Pathological gambling caused by drugs used to treat Parkinson disease. Archives of Neurology. 2005;62:1377.
- Unwin BK, et al. Pathologic gambling. American Family Physician. 2006;61(3):741.
- Compulsive gambling. Minnesota Department of Human Services. http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&dDocName=id_008574. Accessed Dec.1, 2008.
- Grant JE. Gender differences in pathological gamblers seeking medication treatment. Comprehensive Psychiatry. 2002;43:56.
- Ibanez A, et al. Genetics of pathological gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies. 2003;19:11.
- Regard M, et al. Brain damage and addictive behavior: A neuropsychological and electroencephalogram investigation with pathologic gamblers. Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology. 2003;16:47.
- Kringelbach ML, et al. The functional neuroanatomy of the human orbitofrontal cortex: Evidence from neuroimaging and neuropsychology. Progress in Neurobiology. 2004;72:341.
