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How to Recognise and Manage Gambling Addiction in Singapore

In Singapore, there’s a common phrase in Mandarin about buying the lottery which can be roughly translated into: “You’re buying a piece of hope”. And of course, who doesn’t dream of striking the lottery and having the financial freedom to pursue your dream life? 

However, while there’s nothing wrong with buying the (more than occasional) lottery ticket – if it’s something you can afford – gambling can quickly spiral out of control, particularly when you’re trying to ‘make back’ the amount you have already lost.

What are the signs that one may have a problem with gambling, and what can we do about it? This article delves into gambling addiction and ways to manage this.

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Signs of a Gambling Addiction

From playing mahjong and black jack with your family members at home during Chinese New Year or slipping into a Toto shop for a chance at the lottery, gambling is a common activity in Singapore. In fact, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) survey in 2023 showed that, about 40% of Singapore citizens and permanent residents have participated in at least one form of gambling.

When controlled, there is no real inherent harm in gambling occasionally – apart from to your wallet. Yet, there are key signs that you can watch out for to know if a gambling habit is a problem you may need to watch out for:

  • Constant thoughts about gambling, such a fixation on the next draw or opportunity to ‘win’
  • Unsuccessful attempts at staying away from gambling
  • Neglecting one’s daily life, like their work or family, to gamble instead
  • Borrowing money to indulge more in one’s gambling activities, and believing that they are able to recoup their losses in due time; even making bigger and bigger bets to have a greater chance at a windfall
  • Lying to family members and friends about one’s gambling activities and the amount of money lost

Individuals who may have a gambling problem will find it hard to stay away from gambling, and would engage in such activities almost compulsively. Gambling addiction is recognised in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a behavioural addiction.

If left untreated, individuals struggling with this addiction may come at the expense of relationships with their closest ones; and in extreme cases, they may even engage in unlawful activities to sustain their gambling habits.

Causes of Gambling Addiction

Gambling affects the reward centre of your brain, triggering the release of the ‘feel-good’ hormone dopamine when you win a bet. Dopamine is responsible for that great feeling of pleasure when you do something well and are rewarded for it; and it’s typically released when we do something healthy or productive towards our lives. 

As reward-seeking creatures, dopamine is good for reinforcing ‘good behaviours’. However, gambling hacks that dopamine cycle; and this flood of dopamine in our brains from winning a tiny bet can eventually create an unhealthy compulsion to gamble more. Over time, this may snowball into a larger addiction, as our brains become desensitised and need higher levels of dopamine to have the same feel-good buzz.

While brain chemistry is one cause, the reasons for addiction is a multi-faceted and complex one. There are also other factors that may predispose a person towards a gambling disorder, including:

  • Age and gender: Compulsive gambling tends to be more common in men, and amongst younger or middle-aged persons. Additionally, if one has a habit of gambling in their childhood, they may be more likely to develop a gambling issue when they are older.
  • Family history: If there are people in one’s social circle that have problems with gambling, the risk of developing an addiction is also higher.
  • Existing mental health conditions: Persons who have gambling disorders tend to also be managing other mental health conditions, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. 
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Ways to help myself with a gambling addiction

Recognising that you may have a problem with gambling is already a huge first step towards recovery. Although some individuals are able to overcome the problem on their own, you don’t have to go on this journey alone.

You may find it useful to look out for support groups where others may be dealing with gambling addiction as well. Speaking with individuals walking the same path as you – or who are perhaps further along their road to recovery – can give you insight on your own behaviours; which can be a helpful part of your treatment.

Equally important is looking for professional support. Speaking with a mental health expert can be the most powerful strategy in managing a gambling addiction; whether it’s through therapy sessions alone or having medication prescribed, if necessary.

Through professional therapy, you will be able to learn effective ways to deal with any gambling compulsions and how to manage any slip-ups. Your counsellor or therapist may also provide you with better ways of managing your stress, such that the need to gamble for a dopamine boost lessens.

You can reach out to our mental health experts at A Space Between, if you’d like to make an appointment for help with a gambling addiction.

Ways to help a loved one with a gambling addiction

Broaching the topic of addiction with a loved one can be challenging, particularly if you know they may not agree that their behaviours are a source of concern. When speaking to them, these tips may be useful:

  • Be empathetic yet honest: During the conversation, keep an open heart to how your loved one may be feeling and their own struggles. As gentle as you can, keeping in mind to avoid sounding accusatory, you may also want to share what you’ve noticed about their behaviour and why you’re worried. 
  • Be patient: It can take a long while for an individual to admit that they’re suffering from a disorder. They may want to avoid or change the topic; and you may have to sit with them across multiple conversations before they’re willing to be more open about their feelings and challenges.
  • Offer your support: This can be something as simple as offering to spend time with them to do activities that will take their mind off gambling; or even accompanying them to their first therapy session, should they agree to see a professional. There are small ways that we can show our support to a loved one, to let them know they are not alone.

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Written by Em Tang

An experienced health & wellness writer, I am a story-teller at heart. For me, writing is a way of weaving together the little details that make our existence meaningful and significant into a beautiful, larger story.

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