Gambling and the Brain

Understanding Gambling’s Effects on the Brain’s Reward System

The relationship between gambling and the brain is complex and the subject of ongoing studies. Even as scientists are continuing to learn more, the long-term consequences of problem gambling disorder are clear. Among the harm caused by a gambling addiction is a rewiring of the brain’s reward processing centers, which harms the gambler’s mental health.

Compulsive gambling disorder is an issue we see often at Icarus Nevada. Our JCAHO-accredited problem gambling treatment center is located a quick drive from the shimmering lights of the Las Vegas Strip. We specialize in resolving addictive behaviors, including pathological gambling.

We understand that problematic gambling is more than the chance of monetary rewards; casino games can also be a way to cope with complex mental health concerns.

This page will help you understand how gambling activates the brain’s reward system and leads to behavioral addiction. We’ll also provide you with resources that can help people with gambling disorders break the cycle.

How the Brain’s Reward System Works with a Gambling Disorder

The brain’s mesolimbic reward system is a circuit that links midbrain dopamine cells to other brain regions, reinforcing survival behaviors. With the excitement of a gambling win or the sight and sounds of a slot machine, the system floods with a dopamine release, which incentivizes the person to keep playing despite the increased risk of addiction. This cycle leads to a condition called reward anticipation, motivating the brain to seek gambling games again.

Gambling Effects on the Brain’s Reward Pathways

Findings suggest that over time, compulsive gamblers show reduced activation in their brains’ reward circuits and changes to the brain structure that dull typical pleasure signals. This sets the perfect conditions to develop a reward deficiency model, meaning that the person desires betting to experience the same rush of reward. It also contributes to chasing losses, or earning back lost money due to the gambling addiction.

Brain Imaging Studies on Gambling Behavior

The latest functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMFI) gambling studies reveal increased responses to gambling-related cues and reduced prefrontal cortex activity while making risky choices like sports betting.

Experiments with simulated gambling games have advanced the field of gambling studies, helping researchers confirm abnormal brain activity in the prefrontal cortex region when gambling urges occur.

The Role of Dopamine and Neuroplasticity in Gambling Addiction

As mentioned earlier, repeated gambling activity leads to dopamine release, creating new reward system pathways in the brain.

The changes can impair cognitive control and decision-making. Researchers also believe it alters gray matter in the prefrontal cortex, similar to other addictive disorders, including drug and alcohol dependence.

What Is a Gambling Disorder?

According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), it is a psychiatric disorder. A gambling disorder diagnosis requires that mental health professionals observe at least four out of nine symptoms within a year:

• Gambling behavior leads to spending increasing amounts of money to achieve excitement (tolerance).
• The gambler is restless when trying to quit gambling (withdrawal).
• Problem gamblers have tried to quit but were unsuccessful in controlling, cutting back, or stopping altogether in the past.
• Brain chemistry changes mean the person has become preoccupied with gambling, reliving past wins, planning the next turn at the slot machines or gaming tables, or considering how to get more money to spend on gambling.
• Problem gamblers may have an addiction if they use games of chance to cope with stress or trauma.
• Returning to win back money (chasing losses), even with the risk of negative consequences.
• Concealing their addictive behaviors from trusted friends or loved ones.
• Gambling problems may be an addiction when the person has lost jobs, relationships, or financial stability.
• The person may rely on others to help them out of financial difficulties.

In earlier versions, such as the DSM IV, pathological gambling was considered an impulse control disorder; this changed in the latest update to better align with the latest research suggesting that it’s closer to substance abuse disorders.

Gambling Addiction vs Substance Use Disorders

Gambling addiction and substance disorders both change the brain’s reward system. This table compares and contrasts pathological gambling with alcohol or drug addiction:

	GAMBLING ADDICTION	SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
Addiction Type	Behavioral addiction (may or may not include substance abuse)	Chemical, including psychoactive, addictive substances
Primary Addiction Trigger	Reward anticipation, risk-taking, emotional relief	Drug/alcohol use to get high, escape, or calm stress or pain
Dopamine Involvement?	Yes. Dopamine spikes from winning or other gambling cues	Yes. Dopamine spikes as the chemical changes regular brain activity
Withdrawal Symptoms	Emotional, behavioral; physical symptoms are mild and less common	Physical, emotional, and behavioral
How Tolerance Develops	Problem gamblers need more money to support their gambling disorder	Those using substances need larger, more frequent doses to have the same effect
Chasing Behaviors	Chases to resolve financial losses	Chases for pleasure or to avoid withdrawal symptoms
Cognitive Distortions	False sense of control over games of chance; minimizes the extent of the gambling addiction	Denial or justification of the addiction; minimizes the scope of the substance abuse
Other Negative Consequences	Debt, bankruptcy, job loss, damaged relationships	Legal charges (DWI), job loss, harm to relationships
Evidence-based Treatment Approaches	Therapy-based: CBT, DBT, support groups, sometimes medication	Detox + therapy: Medication-assisted treatment, CBT, support groups, aftercare

Both gambling addiction and substance use disorders and psychiatric disorders that require professional treatment. The overlap of symptoms can be even trickier to unravel when gambling disorder co-occurs with drug or alcohol addiction.

How Compulsive Gambling Affects You Over Time

The early thrill of the gaming table or horse track can quickly turn into regular play. Whether playing card games or participating in high-stakes sports betting, these negative consequences come from a gambling addiction:

• Financial losses, including job loss, repossessions, foreclosures, and mounting unpaid bills
• Loss of trust by friends and family members
• Worsening mental well-being, with the possible development of co-occurring mental disorders
• Potential legal issues, if the gambling addiction leads to financial fraud or theft
• Sleep loss and constant worry
• Poor decision making
• Deteriorating physical wellness, with numerous hours per day of focus on gambling instead of exercise, nutrition, or self-care

Gambling addiction hijacks the brain’s reward system and makes it the person’s primary focus. It’s an insidious addiction, with few outward signs or symptoms, making it easy for the gambler to convince loved ones that everything is fine until things have spiraled out of control.

People with Gambling Problems and Co-Occurring Conditions

Problem gambling is not a quirky habit. It’s a mental disorder that often co-occurs with other psychiatric disorders. When a dual diagnosis of gambling addiction and another mental or behavioral health challenge occur together, treatment must address both simultaneously.

Common Dual Diagnosis Conditions with Gambling Disorder

Here are some common dual diagnoses that we’ve treated at Icarus Nevada, along with a gambling addiction:

Anxiety or Panic Disorders

Many people with gambling problems play to mask chronic worry, fear, or panic. Gambling disorder starts as a way to ease the symptoms, but heightens the anxiety over time. It becomes especially problematic as financial or relationship losses happen.

Substance Abuse

Casinos and sports bars serve alcohol on gambling floors, keeping players stimulated and engaged. The formula they follow hacks the brain, and makes players want to stay. Play more. Drink more. Spend more money. The alcohol (and sometimes illicit drug use) lowers each gambler’s inhibitions and reduces good decision-making.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

People who have lived through traumatic events sometimes use gambling to escape their emotional pain and intrusive thoughts. But the gambling addiction that may develop creates a dangerous cycle where they avoid their trauma, leaving it unprocessed.

Has Your Gambling Activity Become a Problem?

Our self-assessment can help you decide if it’s time to seek treatment before gambling affects you further:

Problem Gambling Resources and Support

Do you believe that you – or a loved one – has a gambling addiction? Pathological gambling rarely resolves itself without support. Help for problem gambling is available. Here are some resources to help get the necessary support:

SMART Recovery Groups in Las Vegas

You can connect with local SMART Recovery groups in Las Vegas and around Nevada for free behavioral support for your gambling addiction. SMART teaches its participants to observe their behavior and addictions rationally to understand what caused them.

In addition, SMART helps its peer group members acquire valuable self-management tools to stay on track and avoid problematic behaviors, such as future gambling.

SMART Recovery integrates well with the programs at Icarus Nevada, both as weekly support during outpatient treatment and as part of a well-rounded gambling addiction aftercare plan.

The Problem Gambling Help Line

The National Council on Problem Gambling operates a 24/7 hotline for help. By calling them at 1-800-GAMBLER, you can talk to someone about your gambling addiction and learn about financial counseling resources.

Gambler’s Anonymous Support Groups

Gambler’s Anonymous follows the same 12-Step format as Alcoholics Anonymous. It guides people through a specific process of admitting the problem, confronting it, making amends, and letting fo o the addictive behaviors.

You can find several Gambler’s Anonymous meetings in Las Vegas and many virtual meetings by visiting the GA website.

Treatment for Gambling Addiction at Icarus Nevada

Our professional treatment team provides customized, evidence-based treatment planning for each client. Each treatment helps untangle the crossed wires in the various brain regions and restore dopamine and other brain chemicals to healthy levels.

Frequent services include cognitive-behavioral therapy and other therapies, mindfulness, trauma-informed treatment, medication-assisted treatment (if needed), and coping skills training. We also address dual diagnosis conditions, ensuring treatment for both the gambling addiction and other psychological or behavioral issues receives care at the same time.

We accept most self-pay clients and a wide range of top insurance plans, making treatment accessible to the majority of clients exploring treatment options for gambling addiction. Contact our admissions department; we can coordinate your group or ACA insurance benefits before you arrive, ensuring you can focus on preparing for therapy.

Call Icarus Las Vegas for Effective Gambling Disorder Treatment

Are you ready to turn your life around after developing a problematic gambling disorder? Our professionals are ready to support you as you end the destructive cycle of compulsive gambling and any related addictive behaviors.

We’ll help you reclaim your peace of mind, enjoy better mental health, and fix relationships damaged by a behavioral addiction. You will leave treatment equipped with the tools to cope with life without relying on compulsive gambling as a self-soothing mechanism.

Feel free to contact our admissions staff by phone, 24 hours a day – it’s free, confidential, and we’re ready to help you take the next step.