Gambling disorder or gambling addiction affects 1% of Americans; however, the devastating consequences impact their families as well, creating many more victims and ruined lives than just that of the person with the addiction. Statistics and research show that there are about 3 million additional American adults who are at risk of becoming compulsive gamblers, another 15 million are at risk of becoming problem gamblers and another 148 million are categorized as entering the low risk category of gamblers.
Gambling via the internet has just increased the access path to problematic gambling. Sports betting, slots, roulette, poker, and scratch offs are some of the most popular types or forms of gambling. And, it is no surprise that the state of Nevada has the most gambling addicts given the culture developed around Las Vegas. However, that doesn’t mean that gambling addiction can’t develop in North Carolina, and not all gambling has to occur in a casino.
What is the definition of gambling addiction?
Gambling addiction is an impulse-control disorder. It is also referred to as: pathological gambling; compulsive gambling; or ludopathy. One can’t control the impulse to gamble, even when there are negative consequences and financial ruin for the gambler. Some refer to gambling addiction as a hidden disease because there are no obvious physical signs-like those visible physical problems for those addicted to drugs and alcohol.
What are the consequences of a gambling addiction?
Gambling is legal and non-problematic for most Americans. However, when it becomes an addiction, it interferes with the life of the gambler and his or her family. Gamblers do not make good spouses nor parents. Gamblers will find and use any money possible to fuel their addiction. They will exhaust all money in bank accounts and retirement accounts. They will cash out 401(k)s and their children’s 529 accounts. They can devastate a family’s financial resources, and in turn destroy their marriages and relationships.
Often, the non-gambling spouse is unaware of the asset removal and financial dishonesty that the gambler has caused. Trust is destroyed and financial issues are cited as one of the most common reasons for divorce. In May, 2023, former NFL player, Kroy Biermann, filed divorce court documents, claiming that his gambling addicted wife, Kim Zolciak, a former Atlanta Housewives star, could not take care of their minor children due to gambling compulsion and requested sole custody of their minor children. His court filing contained a bank statement that showed thousands of dollars in withdrawals as evidence of her gambling disorder.
Those who are compulsive gamblers also increase the chance that they may inflict domestic violence on their spouses and children. There is also a great chance that in turn the children of a gambler will experience behavioral problems, depression, and substance abuse later in life.
One-half of identified compulsive gamblers also admit that they often commit crimes to obtain access to money that can be used for gambling. Their crimes include fraud, forgery, embezzlement, larceny, shoplifting, and burglary.
Who becomes a compulsive gambler?
Men are more likely to have a gambling addiction as opposed to women. Often those who have gambling disorder are more likely to also suffer from abusing tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. Those who are easily bored, restless, depressed, and anxious also seem to be more susceptible to the tendency to gamble.
It should also be noted that children are more likely to develop gambling addiction than adults – it’s believed that 2-7% of people under the age of 18 find themselves facing a gambling disorder. This is compared with just 1% of adults. This is worth noting given that children are more likely to develop a gambling addiction of their own if they have a parent who is going through one.
What are treatments for gambling addiction?
Gambling addiction has several treatment options, just like substance abuse disorders. There are inpatient treatment facilities and outpatient clinics. There are medications that can be prescribed.
There are 12-step programs, psychotherapy, and support groups. Yale Medical School has a program devoted to gambling research, and their treatments include brain imaging and genetics. Doctors at Yale have discovered that the monetary rewards process in the brain just like those who engage in binge-eating, alcohol and tobacco use. Unfortunately though, only about 20% of gambling addicts ever seek any treatment.
Can a marriage survive when one spouse is addicted to gambling?
It is going to be tough. If the financial hit has resulted in loss of a job, home, or retirement savings, there is a good chance that the innocent spouse is still forced, out of financial necessity, to walk away from the marriage. Upon discovery of a gambling addiction, the non-gambling spouse should make efforts to close and stop access to shared bank accounts, joint credit cards, and other shared assets. Auto deposits into a joint account should immediately stop and opening new solo accounts will be needed.
There are mental health resources available to the non-addicted spouse. It is also imperative that the non-gambling spouse closely monitor the filing of tax returns and other joint obligations. There is a real possibility that the innocent spouse could be held liable for debts and obligations that the gambler incurred.
One should not blame himself or herself for the spouse’s addiction. Enabling should be avoided, along with covering up for them and giving them money. A mental help professional can guide one through the process and support group attendance can be helpful.
If all hope is gone and if the gambler refuses to seek treatment, the non-gambler may be forced to into a separation and divorce. It is imperative to take legal moves for asset protection and property division. Let the lawyer know that gambling is the reason for the marriage’s demise so that swift action can be taken to preserve what assets might be remaining. Excessive gambling losses can be used as a factor for a judge to use when hearing matters related to asset division between the parties. Unfortunately, this might be when the non-gambling spouse discovers huge credit bills, loans on accounts and the depletion of other assets.
Even if the spouses want to save the marriage, the non-gambling spouse should still make efforts to protect assets. A post-nuptial agreement could be in order. Betting on survival of the marriage is risky.
