DEFINITIONS

GAMBLING

"Gambling" is wagering money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the hope of winning something of even greater value. In our work, the terms "gaming" and "gambling" are often used interchangeably, although many outside entities use the term "gambling" to avoid confusion with video gaming.  


RESPONSIBLE GAMING

Responsible Gaming (or safer play) means playing recreationally and staying in bounds in terms of time and money spent gaming. It’s playing for entertainment, and not interfering with other areas of life.


RISKY GAMBLING

Risky gambling is gaming behavior that puts a person at greater risk for a problem (e.g., spending more money or time than intended, chasing losses, etc.)


PROBLEM GAMBLING

Problem gambling is gambling behavior that negatively affects a person’s life – whether it be financially, socially, educationally, professionally. “Problem gambling” is also be referred to as gambling disorder and is sometimes still referred to as “compulsive” or “pathological” gambling.
About 2 percent of the general population meet the criteria for problem gambling.

CRITERIA FOR "GAMBLING DISORDER"

CONSEQUENCES OF PROBLEM GAMBLING

Following are not the only consequences of gambling problems--just some of the most common.

MONEY:
Of course, debt is the most common consequence most of us think of when it comes to gambling problems.  

RELATIONSHIPS:
Relationship problems -- including separation, divorce, estrangement, and strained family and friend connections -- are very common. Children are almost always affected in some way. Those close to the individual with the problem typically lose trust in person as the gambling problem goes on.

MENTAL HEALTH:
Mental health issues and gambling problems often go hand-in-hand. Depression, anxiety, ADHD and personality disorders are most common among people with gambling problems. Sometimes people "self-medicate" their mental health issues by gambling; sometimes the gambling further worsens the mental health issue. Suicidal thoughts and attempts are unfortunately the highest among people with gambling problems across all addictions and mental health issues.

PHYSICAL HEALTH:
Physical health issues can be quite common among people with gambling problems. Lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, stress and lack of sleep can contribute to various health problems over time.

SUBSTANCES:
Substance use issues can often occur alongside a gambling problem; The most commonly used substances are tobacco and alcohol, followed by illicit and prescription drugs.  Gambling problems can also percolate when someone is in recovery for substance addiction. This is why it's stressed for people in recovery to be very careful when it comes to their gambling behaviors. 


BRAIN CONNECTIONS

ADGS_Brain_Connections_YouTube_1080p_02.mp4

Used with permission from BrainConnections.ca; Brain Connections has been funded by the Gambling Research Exchange of Ontario (GREO).

This short video is a cartoon featuring a brain character going through the phases of a gambling problem. Throughout the video, you will learn how the brain gets hooked on gambling and how its functioning can be hijacked. You will also learn about how the brain can change and balance can be restored if the gambling stops.  

CAN GAMBLING BE AN ADDICTION?

How GAMBLING CAN BECOME AN ADDICTION

Dr. Howard Shaffer, Distinguished Faculty Cambridge Health Alliance / Division on Addiction with Harvard Medical School (DraftKings Responsible Gaming Program partners)

IS GAMBLING ADDICTION GENETIC?

Dr. Lori Rugle, Responsible Gambling Specialist with the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries; Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland / CNBC Prime

For more information, visit the National Council on Problem Gambling's page on Gambling Disorder screening tools.

By clicking on some of the links above, you will leave the DraftKings website and be directed to a third-party website. The privacy practices of those third parties may differ from those of DraftKings. We recommend you review the privacy statements of those third party websites, as DraftKings is not responsible for those third parties' privacy or security practices.