Heartland psychologist explains signs of gambling addiction

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – With Missouri set to become the latest Heartland state to legalize sports betting, some are raising concerns about the potential impact on gambling addiction numbers in the Show Me state.

While sports betting has been legal in Illinois since 2020, Kentucky just legalized the practice last year.

Heartland News’ sister station in Lexington spoke with leaders at Kentucky’s Council for Problem Gambling.

Director Michael Stone said more than 2,300 calls came in from January to September this year.

15 percent of those callers said their most problematic form of gambling was sports betting.

Stone said there is no definitive proof the passage of sports betting has directly caused a rise in gambling addiction, but it’s something to keep in mind as Missouri begins the same process.

Licensed psychologist Shawn Guiling said gambling addiction is “problematic gambling where you are not able to pause taking risks and stop at acceptable losses.”

That definition comes from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Disorders, or the DSM-5. Signs of addiction can include the following:

• Preoccupation with gambling
• Failing to complete other tasks in favor of gambling
• Hiding gambling habits from others
• Feeling irritable or jittery when unable to gamble
• Gambling becoming a major focus in a person’s life

These are all things people can look for in themselves and others when there’s a concern a sports betting habit has gone too far.

People who suspect they have a problem can get the help they need through counseling or going to a center that addresses gambling addiction.

A person may be more likely to gamble if they’re battling depression, or trying to avoid feeding a different addiction, like smoking.

“Some of it’s about replacement behavior,” Guiling said. “Some of the research talks about that it’s connected with tobacco use, and maybe that’s a way to address that first.”

Guiling suggested reframing as one way of tackling the problem.

People can reframe their view of how leisure time is appropriately spent, by deciding there are better ways to spend that time than gambling or sports betting.

People can also reframe their view of money. “Money is not the whole purpose of being…you don’t have to pursue it through gambling.”

While there are concerns the legalization of sports betting in Missouri could impact gambling addiction, it’s not guaranteed to increase it.

“The percentages have stayed fairly consistent, so it’s not clear,” Guiling said. “Now that it’s this much more available, is that going to raise percentages of people who engage in this, or do we already believe that there’s not as many as there really are because of under-reporting?”

A person’s ability to conceal their addiction also impacts the ability of mental health officials to get accurate numbers on increases.

Anyone concerned about their own gambling habits, or behaviors seen in a loved one, can visit the Missouri Department of Mental Health’s website.

The number for Missouri’s Problem Gambling Helpline is 888-BETS-OFF.

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