Is one in every three slot machine players gambling addicted?

In a conversation with the Hessenschau, an addiction expert warns of the dangers of gambling. Among other things, she points out that when gambling at a slot machine, it is nearly the same thing as when someone drinks alcohol or consumes Speed Besides this, a substantial number of slot machine players sooner or later become gambling addicted.

In July of last year, we had already reported about how one can recognise and address a gambling addiction. In general one then speaks of a gambling addiction, when there is a consistent irresistible desire to gamble. In medicinal contexts one also speaks of an impulse control disorder, which makes it impossible for those concerned to renounce gambling.

Expert compares gambling at slot machines with alcohol and drug consumption

In a conversation with the Hessenschau, the renowned addiction expert Stefanie Höft from the Addiction Assistance Centre Wildhof in Offenbach warns of the danger of gambling addiction. Among other things, she warns that when gambling at slot machines, for the reward system in the brain basically the same thing happens as when one drinks alcohol or consumes Speed. In an article from October 2021, we tackled the question, What matters for the security in online gambling.

Many slot machine players become gambling addicted

Current studies show, that around a third of the gamblers who play at slot machines over a certain time, become addicted. Thirty from each hundred slot machine players will sooner or later become gambling addicted. This is especially so because adrenalin and Dopamin are released in every game round. Thus the brain will be constantly overstimulated.

But that is not the only problem. The situation is aggravated by the fact, that the suicide rate among gambling addicts is significantly higher than the national average. Anyone who has suicidal thoughts can contact the free hotline of the crisis line round the clock on 0800 111 0 111.

The gambling addiction expert Stefanie Höft also adds here:

“The suicide rate among gambling addicts is three to four times as much as among other abusers.”

430,000 people in Germany affected by problematic gambling behaviour

According to current information for the Federal Centre for Health Education there are currently around 430,000 people in Germany who are suffering from a gambling addiction or are affected by a problematic gambling behaviour. Low income young male adults with a migration background are especially among those at risk.

In a press conference of the Federal Centre for Health Education, Prof. Dr. Martin Dietrich warns especially about the dangers of online gambling:

“The study data of the Federal Centre for Health Education shows that nearly one in every five players of online casinos have a problematic gambling behaviour or are addicted. Therefore the Federal Centre for Health Education supports the quality assured services to prevent this gambling addiction.”

Conclusion

In an article in August 2021 we had already tried to answer the question, whether Blackjack and Roulette cause more addiction. However classic gambling slots still tend to have an especially high risk of addiction. Studies show that 30 of each 100 persons who gamble at slot machines over a continuous period become addicted. This is an enormously high percentage. For this reason, every gambling slot player should regularly reflect on his or her gambling behaviour to ensure that he or she does not become gambling addicted. The Federal Centre for Health Education offers very attractive information and advice which is available at any time free of change.

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