Gambling addiction linked to video games

Categories

Addiction Treatment
Alcohol
Drugs
Gambling
In the papers
On TV

News Archive

Home » News » Gambling » Gambling addiction linked to video games

by Change | 21 Aug 2009

Bookmark

E-mail

Computer games played by young people could be linked to the development of a gambling addiction later in life, it has been claimed.

New research has suggested that gambling addictions could become more prevalent in the future because they may be linked to playing video games.

Many young people regularly play computer games and a new report has suggested that the enjoyment created by this could lead them to develop a gambling addiction later in life.

The study from the University of Adelaide found that young people who play video games regularly are more likely to display obsessive tendencies later in life, with the onset of a gambling addiction one of the outcomes.

Professor Paul Delfabbro, one of the study's authors, said that although playing a computer game was not necessarily a threat to creating a gambling addict, regular computer gaming could indicate the type of person who may be more likely to become hooked on gambling in the future.

"The physical act of playing video games doesn't increase the risk of gambling but it is indicative of a pattern of leisure activity, which probably means you're going to find gambling an entertaining activity,'' he explained.

There is a growing threat among western countries during the current global economic downturn that more people will be seeking out rehab clinics to tackle gambling addiction treatment.

It has already been reported in Florida and other parts of the US that more people are calling addiction recovery centres to help them with a gambling addiction, with many turning to gambling to win their fortune amid concerns over job security.

Bookmark this: