Written by: Sarah Ermer, MPH, CHES; Prevention Specialist at Tillamook Family Counseling Center

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and when it comes to a behavior that can cause significant harm and remain hidden so easily, awareness is key. You may only picture gambling addiction as someone losing their life savings at a casino, and while many still experience gambling addiction in this way, gambling today takes more forms than it did even a decade ago. Technology has changed gambling, access to gambling, and how addiction takes hold—sometimes in ways we don’t even recognize.

If you’ve ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media, telling yourself “Just one more minute” only to realize an hour has passed, you’ve experienced how technology can hijack our attention. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts use algorithm-driven content and intermittent rewards—features that stimulate the brain’s reward system much like gambling. Every swipe holds the potential for something exciting, unpredictable, and engaging. This taps into something psychologists call our variable reward system, which is the same mechanism that drives gambling behaviors. The uncertainty of what’s coming next (a viral video, a big payout) keeps us engaged far longer than we intend. This is why gambling addiction, like social media overuse, isn’t simply about willpower. It’s about the way our brains are wired for reward and reinforcement.

Let’s zoom out a little more, beyond gambling and social media, to another related pastime: video gaming. Though distinct activities, the line between gaming and gambling is becoming blurred. Many video games have features that replicate or explicitly mimic gambling. Spin-to-win rewards and loot boxes where players can pay real or in-game currency to win an unknown prize are both examples of how video games are exposing younger and younger players to the hook of gambling, not to mention games where players can enter and gamble within virtual casinos. And the younger a person is exposed to an addictive behavior, the more likely they are to experience addiction later in life. That’s why some countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, and Australia have restricted or banned loot boxes from video games. 

Moving back to the present-day landscape of gambling itself. Gambling is no longer confined to casinos or lottery games. In 2019, Oregon legalized sports betting, allowing people to place wagers anytime, anywhere via their smartphones. While convenient, this also means that gambling addiction can develop in secrecy. Someone could lose thousands of dollars without ever leaving their home. The accessibility of gambling apps makes it easier to engage impulsively, making problem gambling harder to recognize until significant harm has occurred. 

Sports betting platforms, casino apps, and online poker sites are designed to keep users playing, using features like quick deposits, loss-chasing prompts, and VIP rewards. Without physical cash changing hands, it’s easy to underestimate losses. And because gambling doesn’t leave visible signs like drug or alcohol misuse can, it’s often called the “hidden addiction.” That’s why it is necessary to learn the warning signs of gambling addiction, both in ourselves and others. 

Warning signs of gambling addiction can include:

• Spending more and more time gambling
• “Chasing” losses with more gambling
• Feeling the need to bet more money to feel the same excitement
• Creating special occasions for gambling (canceling other plans)
• Frequently borrowing or losing money with no clear explanation
• Mood swings, anxiety, or depression linked to gambling outcomes
• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut back

If you choose to gamble, these steps can help minimize harm:

• Decide in advance how much time and money you can afford to spend, and stick to that limit
• Avoid chasing lost money. The more you try to recoup your losses, the larger your losses will be.
• Make it a private rule not to gamble on credit. Don’t borrow money to gamble. 
• Avoid gambling under stress. Don’t gamble as a way to cope with physical or emotional pain.
• Take breaks. The longer you play, the harder it is to stick to your limits. Step away regularly.
• Know when to walk away. If gambling stops being fun or causes distress, it’s time to stop.

Lear more warning signs and safer gambling guidelines by visiting OPGR.org. 

I hope this article can be your introduction to learning about gambling harm and addiction. A few sentences about gaming or sports betting doesn’t begin to cover the depth of the issue, and there is always more to learn. 

Remember, gambling addiction isn’t just a matter of willpower, and help is available. If you or someone you know is experiencing gambling harm, help is free and confidential. Go to OPGR.org, or call 1-877-MY-LIMIT.