Can someone be unaware that they have a Gambling Addiction?
Published:
Jun 10, 2025
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01:18 p.m.
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Key Points:
Individuals can be unaware that they have a gambling addiction, as they can at times convince themselves that it’s something else, such as bad luck or poor financial management skills.
Only around 10% of people with gambling problems seek professional help, as many don’t believe they exhibit signs that constitute a need for support.
Betting has become so ingrained in sports entertainment that it has been normalized for young Americans, further exacerbating potential addiction issues for those exposed at early ages.
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America’s fast-rising “Invisible Addiction” of problem gambling often goes undetected, generally by others around the individual struggling, but at times even by those who suffer from it.
In the years since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), legalized sports betting has spread rapidly across the United States. Today, 48 states allow some form of gambling, and online sportsbooks are legal in 39 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. While this expansion has generated economic benefits and entertainment value, it has also fueled a quiet but steep rise in gambling addiction.
Media coverage of problem gambling has increased, but many people suffering from gambling addiction don't realize they have it. Gambling disorder lacks the obvious physical signs associated with substance use, which can make it difficult to spot not just by others, but by the individuals themselves.
Only approximately 10% of individuals with gambling problems seek professional help. The behaviors often happen behind screens, leaving few clues behind.
The challenge lies in the fact that gambling addiction is a behavioral disorder that taps directly into the brain’s reward system. Just like drugs or alcohol, betting triggers dopamine release, creating a rush that reinforces the behavior. Over time, this rewiring can impair decision-making, impulse control and emotional regulation.
One man’s experience with an unrecognized gambling addiction
To the outside world, Sam looked like he had it all: a high-paying tech job, a fit lifestyle and a loving partner. But internally, he was struggling with a severe sports betting addiction that started in his mid-20s and lasted nearly a decade.
“All of my friends would come to me and say: 'Congratulations, man, you're crushing it. We're so proud of you,’” Sam said in a recent USA Today article. “I would just feel this dissonance, because I felt so fraudulent.”
He placed bets between therapy sessions and checked odds while at wellness retreats. Despite these red flags, he didn’t consider himself addicted because he wasn’t in debt, didn’t borrow money and didn’t think he fit the stereotype of a “problem gambler.” That misconception kept him trapped for seven years.
Like Sam, many young men view gambling as a hobby or a way to connect with sports. But when losses mount, emotions spiral and behavior becomes compulsive, the line between casual entertainment and addiction becomes dangerously blurry.
How gambling addiction can go unrecognized
Many realize that the lack of physical signs can make it difficult for others to notice a gambling addiction in someone. However, few understand that gambling problems can be difficult for some to spot in themselves.
Some bettors focus on the financial aspect only, seeing losses as bad luck or poor financial decisions, not a larger mental health disorder.
Bobbe McGinley, a clinical director at Birches Health, has seen this firsthand. She explains, “I have met with clients who believe focusing on finances, not the behavior causing the problem, is their goal. While money management is crucial for everyone, particularly those struggling with gambling issues, solely looking at better financial practices is not sufficient to overcome compulsive, problematic gambling behaviors.”
McGinley adds, “Gambling addiction is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach addressing both the addiction behavior and its underlying causes, as well as the financial consequences. Even with improved financial management, the risk has been high that the client will continue to experience major financial consequences. Limiting access to money and finding alternative activities to gambling help support clients in addressing the gambling behaviors first, then repairing the finances second.”
Connect with Birches Health by clicking here, calling 833-483-3838 or emailing help@bircheshealth.com
Why young people are especially vulnerable to gambling problems
Red flags are easy to overlook when the addiction is cloaked in a “normal” digital routine. Addiction specialists warn that young adults are especially at risk because their brains are still developing. The regions responsible for impulse control and long-term decision-making don’t fully mature until around age 25.
“Young people are growing up thinking that sports entertainment is gambling,” Dr. Timothy Fong of UCLA’s Gambling Studies Program said.
Unlike previous generations, today’s youth are bombarded with betting promotions and have 24/7 access to online sportsbooks, so there is no need to go to a casino or race track.
Without early education or parental guidance, many are left unprepared to recognize problematic behaviors. And when help is finally sought, stigma or lack of relatable support can at times push them away.
Gambling Addiction warning signs: How to realize there may be a problem
Because gambling addiction doesn’t leave visible marks, it’s essential to recognize behavioral and emotional indicators. Gambling addiction warning signs can include:
Preoccupation with gambling: Constantly thinking about current bets or planning future ones.
Inability to stop: Repeated failed attempts to cut back or quit.
Chasing losses: Betting more to try to win back money that was lost, which at times can spiral into disastrous financial impacts.
Hiding or lying about gambling: Keeping your activity from friends, family or others, at times due to shame or embarrassment.
Impacting other parts of life: Missing work, skipping school or neglecting social commitments due to gambling.
Emotional distress: Guilt, anxiety or depression tied to betting behavior.
Gambling Addiction rates rising across the country
The rise of online sportsbooks and casinos has dramatically increased access, along with addiction rates. A UC San Diego study found that internet searches for help with gambling addiction have surged 23% nationwide since the PASPA ruling. Ohio saw a 67% spike in such searches following the introduction of mobile betting.
In Kentucky, calls to the gambling helpline quadrupled from 2022 to 2024, with the majority citing sports betting as the primary issue.
Florida saw a similar trend, with calls jumping from 34,000 in 2023 to 61,000 in 2024, and most of them from men aged 20–25.
New Jersey, an early leader of legalized betting, reports gambling addiction rates three times the national average among men aged 18–20. Calls to its helpline have increased 277% since 2018, with young males under 25 making up the majority of them.
These numbers illustrate that gambling addiction is growing, skewing younger and highlight a need for specialized research and resources.
Problem gambling treatment options in the U.S.
Treatment for gambling addiction is widely available and effective nowadays, but we need more widespread advocacy for and awareness of these resources. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), peer support groups, and digital therapy platforms are all tailored to younger audiences.
Yet stigma remains a barrier to care, and education is lacking. Unlike alcohol or tobacco, there is no federal funding for gambling addiction. Therefore, many times the solutions must start at home.
If you or someone you love is struggling with gambling, specialized help is available, and you can access it today. Birches Health is one such option that provides virtual care to individuals seeking gambling addiction treatment. From the comfort of home, you can receive insurance-covered care from Birches’ experienced, licensed therapists.
Here’s how to get started confidentially with Birches Health:
Call 833-483-3838
Email help@bircheshealth.com
