Gambling addiction is a growing concern in Uganda and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. As the availability, participation and spending on gambling increases, especially among young people between the ages of 10 and 24, there is a need to increase the availability of support and resources for people who become addicted to gambling. As much as the gambling industry may have positive economic impacts, it is consequential enough to warrant our attention when it comes to the negative impacts that gambling can have, especially when it comes to mental health. The legal casinos that the gambling industry currently operates in several sub-Saharan African countries - such as Uganda and South Africa, which has the most casinos of any African country - provide ample opportunity for young people to risk developing gambling problems.
Gambling addiction is a serious problem that can affect a person's mental and physical health and even their financial situation. It is a condition that is classified as a biopsychosocial disorder, meaning that it is caused by biological, psychological, and social factors. The American Psychiatric Association has recognized compulsive gambling as a mental disorder; formerly known as "pathological gambling," it is now classified as a "gambling disorder," alongside some of the other well-known substance-related disorders. There seems to be a high and disturbing rate of comorbidity between gambling disorders and other known substance-related disorders, which seems to have a similar genetic basis. Some of the disordered personalities that we see associated with gambling have profiles that also seem to go along with some of the disordered personalities that we see associated with substance abuse.
Research on gambling behavior and addiction, especially among adolescents, is sorely lacking in Uganda. This is an information gap that is critical to the development of effective prevention and treatment programs. While there is a burgeoning literature on gambling addiction in Western countries, Uganda needs to take a fresh look at the issue and see where it stands. This article attempts to take that look, and in the process fills some of the gaps in our knowledge of this important public health issue.
What is Gambling Addiction?
There is an uncontrollable need to bet on every available opportunity. There is nothing wrong with occasional betting. In fact, there is a science to making it less harmful when a person is simply betting. In part, this is because it keeps the person who might otherwise gamble pathologically engaged in an activity without reaping the negative effects associated with gambling addiction. (See "How to Bet Smart and Why It Matters") But when it comes to preventing gambling addiction, awareness is essential. My department has identified several profiles of compulsive gamblers. Knowing these differences can help someone recognize when another person is in trouble.
Pathological Problem Gambler
Elementary problem gamblers who have not yet progressed to the more serious stages of gambling addiction often lie about their gambling. They may tell family members, friends, or co-workers that they do not gamble when they do, or that they only play the lottery or bet on sports. Even when caught in the act, these types of gamblers will often deny, deny, deny. Lying and obfuscation is usually a more serious, though less noticed, sign of the compulsive gambler. Orson (Thumbs Down for Gambling: An Antigambling Book for Kids and Teens)
Binge Gambler
Compulsive gamblers generally gamble at intervals that show extended periods of total disengagement from gambling. And when they do return to gambling, they are completely out of control and cannot stop. Compulsive gamblers show none of the signs of responsible gambling. And you know what? They are just as likely, if not more likely, to gamble away their winnings as anyone else.
Compulsive Gambler
By far the worst is the compulsive gambler. They are not deterred by the risk of spending money they do not have. Compulsive gamblers have an unrelenting urge to gamble without limits, and even when they win, they're still not satisfied.
Causes of Gambling Addiction
For many, the reasons for gambling are personal and vary from person to person. Some people may start betting on sporting events just for fun, but find themselves compulsively doing it, unable to stop when their nighttime dreams turn to visions of the next big bet. Maybe we should just call these people dreamers-in the clinical, detailing-a-mad-vision-for-a-better-lifestyle sense. The Bet Life, as it were. And in what is almost a guarantee, an article detailing The Bet Life will probably point out that certain individuals are simply more likely than others to live and die by the bet. This unfounded and offensive assumption of superiority has always struck this writer as a pretty bad bet.
How to Help Someone with a Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction is a serious problem in Uganda. Signs to look for that indicate a problem include changes in personal behavior, money going missing or being spent in strange ways, and letting go of things that really matter - in short, anything that suggests someone is putting gambling ahead of work, family, and other important commitments. If you or someone you know is doing any of these things, now is the time to get help.
- Lying about how much you spend on gambling is a sign of addiction. The resources available in Uganda, such as counseling and support groups, can help. If you or a loved one has a gambling problem, addressing it now can prevent the kind of financial and emotional disaster that spreads to the gambler's family, friends, and co-workers.
- Recognize the signs of compulsive gambling. Know that you can invest your scarce time and money in more lucrative and mentally stimulating endeavors. Yes! Gambling can make you rich, but it can also make you poor. On the contrary, mental stimulation and financial proficiency can make you both rich and healthy. Which is better? Be rich and healthy. Aren't we always told that?
- Frequently borrowing money or selling personal items to finance gambling is a manifestation of compulsive gambling. Professional help and support is available in Uganda. You are not alone, and with the right resources, you can prevent not only yourself but also your family from experiencing the intense financial strain that gambling can cause. Several organizations and hotlines exist solely to help people like you who suffer from compulsive gambling.
- Recognize the indicators of addiction in Uganda. For example, notice when you spend money on gambling instead of necessities. Overcome this addiction by seeking help from organizations and support groups. Take back control of your finances and your life.
- Approach a loved one in Uganda with compulsive gambling with empathy and understanding. Create a safe and non-judgmental space for them to open up. Encourage them to seek help from resources in Uganda, such as support groups and counseling services.
In Uganda, someone struggling with a gambling addiction needs all the support they can get. That may seem like a strange thing to say, given the slow creep of gambling addiction in this part of the world, but in many ways - helping someone with a gambling addiction is no different from helping someone with a drug or sex addiction. This week we heard Dr. Benido Impouma, Country Representative for the World Health Organization, talk about the work of the Consortium, which includes developing plans to achieve universal access to health. Support structures are a big part of that.
How to Deal with Gambling Addiction
There are several places to seek help for gambling addiction in Uganda. The only people who can identify the harmful effects of gambling addiction are professionals who can also prescribe long-term gambling recovery treatments for gambling addicts. Fortunately, there are gambling addiction rehab clinics scattered all over Uganda. Here is a list of some of the places you can try if you need help quitting:
- Cape Town Gambling Addiction Clinics The National Responsible Gambling Program (NRGP) gambling helpline is 0800 006 008.
- Contact details for GamCare Uganda: WhatsApp/Text 0393-228819