*Disclaimer: Please note that parts of this blog have been automatically translated.*

Gambling addiction among young people is a major problem in our society that should not be underestimated. Research¹ shows that one in five online gamblers is between the ages of 18 and 23. This is shocking but not inexplicable. Indeed, this group in particular is very vulnerable to addiction². The consequences of this are great, from being deep in debt and ending up in crime to suicide. A growing but especially worrisome trend that we must guard against.

Young people between the ages of 18 and 23 are highly susceptible to addiction. This is because their brains are still developing³. The reward system is not in balance with the control system. Young people believe that gambling rewards them with large sums of money. And this very belief in a reward is what makes them addicted⁴. The ability to control this is not yet well developed, giving gambling addiction free rein. The danger then lurks.

Gambling addiction can have major consequences for young people. First, they may face financial problems. Significant debts are accumulated, which can cause stress. In addition to the major financial problem, young people are also at risk of social isolation, not seeing friends and family, and health problems such as anxiety and depression⁵. This is worrisome because research shows that these problems are major risk factors for suicide⁶. On top of this, the suicide rate among youth with gambling addiction is 15 times higher compared to youth without addiction⁷. This is also very high compared to other forms of addiction. Gambling addiction, unlike substance addiction such as alcohol or drugs, can go undetected for a long time. Young people may eventually begin to feel so powerless that they see suicide as the only way out⁸.

Gambling addiction among young people is thus a major problem and poses a serious threat to their financial and mental health as well as to their lives. The link between gambling addiction and suicide is worrying and highlights the need for prevention and treatment. As a society, we must make all young people aware of the risks of gambling. Only in this way can we eliminate this problem in the future and save lives of young people.

  This blog was written by Dian Verbree for the Recent Developments in Risk Behavior course, master’s program PWO (Radboud University), 2023.   References 1. Kansspelautoriteit. (2023). Monitoringsrapportage online kansspelen voorjaar 2023. In Kansspelautoriteit.https://kansspelautoriteit.nl/nieuws/2023/april/markt-online-kansspelen-groeit/ 2. Levesque, R.J.R. (2018). Addiction. In: R.J.R. Levesque (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Adolescence (pp. 79–82). Springer, Cham. https://doi-org.ru.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33228-4_486 3. Aragay, N., Pijuan, L., Cabestany, À., Ramos-Grille, I., Garrido, G., Vallès, V., & Jovell-Fernández, E. (2021). Current addiction in youth: online sports betting. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.590554 4. Vergura, D. T. (2016). Gamblers’ Aces in the Hole: The Effect of Erroneous Cognitions on Dysfunctional gambling. Journal of Social Marketing. https://doi.org/10.1108/jsocm-08-2015-0061 5.Agbenorxevi, C. D., Hevi, S. S., Malcalm, E., Akude, J., & Coleman, R. K. N. (2023). Gamified Problem Gambling and Psychological Distress: The Mediated-Moderated Roles of Cognitive and Economic Motives. Journal of Gambling Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-023-10219-w 6. Armoon, B., Griffiths, M. D., Mohammadi, R., & Ahounbar, E. (2023). Suicidal Behaviors and Associated Factors among Individuals with Gambling Disorders: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Gambling Studies, 39(2), 751–777. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-023-10188-0 7. EenVandaag. (2023). Zorgen over toenemend aantal jongeren met online gokverslaving: “Kans op zelfdoding 15 keer hoger bij deze groep”. https://eenvandaag.avrotros.nl/item/zorgen-over-toenemend-aantal-jongeren-met-online-gokverslaving-kans-op-zelfdoding-15-keer-hoger-bij-deze-groep/#:~:text=Neuropsycholoog%20van%20gedragsverslavingen%20aan%20het,systeem%20werkt%20nog%20niet%20optimaal.%22 8. Mérelle, S., Balt, E., Schweren, L., Van Den Brand, I., Van Eijk, N. L., Creemers, D. H. M., Popma, A., & Gilissen, R. (2023). Young people and railway suicides. A mixed-methods study. Tsg – Tijdschrift Voor Gezondheidswetenschappen, 101(S1), 16–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12508-023-00393-y