What is the mindset of a gambler?
This is a well-known psychological process that is called the gambler's fallacy. It is the mistaken belief that if an event occurs repeatedly, a different event is about to occur. The reality is that the odds of any particular event happening are always the same. Changing expectations in regard to winning.
There are three common types of gambler, the professional gambler, the social gambler, and the problem gambler. Be aware that the problem gambler will often believe themselves to be, or pretend to be, a social or professional gambler.
Still, some studies suggest that negative life events can affect and change personality characteristics (e.g., increase neuroticism), which suggest that gambling problems may also lead to personality changes (16).
Gambling disorder was associated with grandiose narcissism and an inability to regulate emotions. That is, addicted gamblers had higher levels of grandiose narcissism than the control group. In particular, they were more likely to present themselves as being concerned with others to support a grandiose self- image.
They were more prone to experience anger at a particular time and more likely to react angrily to a wide range of situations. Higher levels of anger and alexithymia in PGs were associated with more severe gambling behaviour.
- To Win Money. There is an opportunity to come out "ahead of the game". ...
- For Recreation. ...
- To Support Charity. ...
- To Escape Problems. ...
- Mood Alteration.
People who gamble compulsively often have substance misuse problems, personality disorders, depression or anxiety. Compulsive gambling may also be associated with bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- The Winning Phase.
- The Losing Phase.
- The Desperation Phase.
- The Hopeless Phase.
According to Help Guide, electronic gambling games may be the most addictive gambling games out there. Help Guide suggests that gamblers who play using electronic machines become problem gamblers almost three times earlier than those who stick with table games and racetrack gamblers.
In a study of pathological gamblers, Petry et al found rates of mood disorder to be 49.6%, anxiety disorder 41.3%, personality disorder 60.8%, alcohol use disorder 73.2%, drug use disorder 38.1% and nicotine dependence 60.4%.
Is a gambler happy?
There was a negative relationship between happiness and gambling. In other words, happiness decreased when gambling increased. Based on the DSM-IV criteria, abstainers and social gamblers had similar levels of happiness. At-risk and pathological gamblers had lower levels of happiness, but were similar to each other.
What goes through a gambler's mind after she's placed her bet? It's not just the anticipation of a big payoff, or doubts about the wisdom of her bet. It's also regret about previous bets, both won and lost, according to UC Berkeley neuroscientists.

When we have a gambling win, the brain releases a feel-good chemical called dopamine. But when we gamble often, our brain gets used to the dopamine, which makes that winning feeling difficult to achieve. Consequently, we may have to gamble more and more to feel the same level of pleasure.
When you gamble, your brain releases dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter that makes you feel excited. You'd expect to only feel excited when you win, but your body produces this neurological response even when you lose.
Specifically, the effect that gambling has on your brain's levels of dopamine — a chemical messenger that causes feelings of pleasure — is what makes gambling so addicting. Hitting the jackpot releases dopamine, generating exceptionally good feelings each time a gambler wins.
- Becoming withdrawn from others/family events.
- Performance at work is being affected.
- Seeming worried, agitated or upset for no apparent reason.
- Reporting feeling hopeless, depressed, frustrated or suicidal.
In a study of pathological gamblers, Petry et al found rates of mood disorder to be 49.6%, anxiety disorder 41.3%, personality disorder 60.8%, alcohol use disorder 73.2%, drug use disorder 38.1% and nicotine dependence 60.4%.
References
- https://www.greo.ca/Modules/EvidenceCentre/files/Maniaci%20et%20al%20(2016)_Alterations%20in%20the%20emotional%20regulation%20process%20in%20gambling%20addiction%20The%20role%20of%20anger%20and%20alexithymia_Final.pdf
- http://gamblershelp.com.au/learn-about-gambling/gambling-and-how-it-affects-the-brain/
- https://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/gambling-addiction/most-addictive-type-of-gambling
- https://www.gatewayfoundation.org/addiction-blog/how-gambling-affects-brain/
- https://news.berkeley.edu/2018/09/13/regret-is-a-gamblers-curse-neuroscientists-say/
- https://www.kflaph.ca/en/research-and-reports/gambling-and-gaming-health-impacts.aspx
- https://www.verywellmind.com/types-of-gambler-22513
- https://www.responsiblegambling.org/for-the-public/about-gambling/the-science-behind-gambling/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.740235/full
- https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/helping-others/signs-of-a-problem
- https://theheightstreatment.com/2020/10/12/stages-of-gambling-addiction/
- https://www.greo.ca/Modules/EvidenceCentre/files/Farrell%20(2017)_Understanding%20the%20relationship%20between%20subjective%20wellbeing%20and%20gambling%20behavior.pdf
- http://www.problemgamblingalberta.ca/index.php?area_id=1013&page_id=1049
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/compulsive-gambling/symptoms-causes/syc-20355178
- https://www.greo.ca/Modules/EvidenceCentre/files/Rogier%20and%20Velotti%20(2018)_Narcissistic%20implications%20of%20gambling%20disorder%20The%20mediating%20role%20of%20emotion%20dysregulation_Final.pdf
- https://kingswayrecovery.com/the-psychology-of-gambling/