Gambling and your health & wellness

Almost nine in 10 Iowans have gambled in their lifetimes. Most see it as a form of recreation and, for many, it is a safe and enjoyable activity. But for about 15 percent of adult Iowans, gambling impacts their or a loved one's daily life. It's important to know the risks and warning signs of a gambling problem. It's important to know how to prevent gambling related harm.

Recovery from a gambling disorder can be hard. This may mean changing your habits or seeking help. This could include counseling with a gambling disorder specialist or mental health therapist. These supports can help improve your health and wellness. 

If you need ideas to improve your health and wellness, talk with your healthcare provider. Seek advice from gambling-free peers or reach out to 1-800-BETS OFF through Your Life Iowa. Always pay attention to how gambling is impacting your daily life. Know that no matter how bad it has gotten, there is hope! Stories of recovery happen every day.  

Become educated on the risks of gambling. The more you play, the more you pay. 

Gambling can be addictive and cause harm

Gambling is often enjoyable entertainment. But for about 15 percent of adult Iowans, gambling has negative consequences. Without support, these habits could result in a gambling disorder. 

In the last 12 months:

1. Gambles now more than before
2. Trying to stop or cut down seems hard
3. Trying to stop but just keep going back
4. Often thinks about past wins or times when gambling was fun. Continue to think about gambling and planning the next time
5. Gambles to help relieve stress or pain
6. Returns to gamble to win back lost money
7. Keeps the extent of gambling from others
8. Jeopardized a job or a relationship due to gambling
9. Borrowed money or used credit cards to relieve a situation caused by gambling 

How to prevent gambling related harm

There are many ways to avoid developing a gambling problem. Here are some ideas on how to prevent gambling related harm:

• Don't think of it as a way to make money. The bottom line, gambling establishments take more in money than they pay out. This means over time; you will lose more money than you win.
• Always gamble with money that you can afford to lose. Gambling with money that you set aside for fun, like going to the movies or going on a vacation. Never use money that you need for important things like rent, bills, groceries, etc.
• Set a money limit. Decide how much money you can afford to lose before you play. When you have lost that amount of money, quit. If you win, enjoy it, and remember it won't happen most of the time.
• Set a time limit. Decide how much time you can afford to spend gambling. When you reach that time limit, stop gambling.
• Don't chase loses. If you lose money, don't try to get it back by going over your limit. This usually leads to even bigger loses.
• Don't gamble when you're depressed or upset. It's hard to make good decisions about gambling when you're feeling down.
• Enjoy other activities so gambling doesn't become too big a part of your life.

Limit your access to gambling

• The Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission (IRGC). The IRGC self-exclusion program allows a person to self-exclude from licensed gambling operators. This includes gambling at casinos or racetracks, sports wagering or fantasy sports. If a self-excluded person places a wager at a licensed entity, the entity will remove the person. Trespassing charges may result. They will also give up the right to all winnings.
• The Iowa Lottery. The Iowa Lottery also offers a program that limits lottery game pay outs. The Iowa Lottery self-exclusion program bans a person from collecting prizes greater than $600. Signing up also prevents the person from receiving lottery promotional materials.

Gambling can increase stress-related conditions

Gambling can cause mental, emotional and physical stress. For some, this may lead to hypertension, loss of sleep or even heart disease. For others, it may lead to depression, anxiety or substance use disorder. Gambling also affects how the brain uses dopamine and serotonin. These hormones affect feelings of happiness. 

Gambling can increase risk of substance use disorders

Gambling-related problems often lead to higher rates of alcohol and nicotine use. Gambling risk factors that can increase the risk of a substance use disorder include:

• Being competitive.
• Feeling stressed.
• Acting impulsive.

Gambling's financial consequences

Each year, people in the U.S. who gamble lose about $120 billion. The estimated annual social cost of gambling is about $14 billion. 

Ninety percent of problem gamblers use credit card cash advances to gamble1. They also "borrow" money from savings accounts or apply for loans to cover loses. They hope to find the "one big bet" that gets them back to even1. Unfortunately, that rarely is effective.

If you choose to gamble, remember to budget an amount you can afford to spend on gambling and stick to the plan. Don't pull out more from an ATM to try to win your losses back. That's when people get in trouble. 1-800-BETS OFF and Your Life Iowa can help.

Gambling & stigma

Stigma continues to happen because of the language we use. How we talk and think about gambling matters. Our words and actions impact the health of those experiencing addiction. 

Terms like "problem gambler" and "addict" are not person-centered. They foster the belief that gambling related problems are a choice. This misses the fact that a gambling disorder is a real medical condition. 

When we hear or use the label "problem gambler," blame and punishment come to mind. We promote stigma. When we see a person experiencing a gambling disorder, there is the potential for healing. 

Everyone plays a role in reducing stigma against people with a gambling disorder. You can:

• Learn more about what is a gambling disorder.
• Learn how a gambling disorder is a chronic, treatable, medical condition.
• Learn that people with a gambling disorder deserve compassion and respect. 

Replace language that perpetuates stigma with person-first language. Use "a person with a gambling disorder" instead of terms like "problem gambler" or "addict." See the Words Matter: Preferred Language for Talking About Addiction guide for more.

Gambling & brain injury

Brain injuries can lead to problems with gambling. Screening for brain injury is a best practice. Especially for patients in any healthcare, community, and corrections-based settings. Brain injury screening tools assess a person's exposure to brain injury.