Understanding Problematic Gaming

Problematic gaming can happen to anyone from any walk of life, turning a fun source of entertainment into an unhealthy activity, that may lead to personal, financial, and social repercussions. A regulated industry allows such impact to be minimal and ensures safeguards are easily accessible in all areas of commercial gaming.

Problematic gaming is generally marked by reckless, impulsive, or compulsive engagement with gaming, indicating lack of control and responsibility. Understanding and recognising the signs of problematic gaming is essential in creating a safe gaming environment for everyone and offering timely support. 

Key signs of problematic gaming

• Difficulty in stopping gaming, despite a desire to quit
• Spending excessive time on gaming sites or at locations where gaming is prevalent
• A distorted perception characterised by boasting about gaming successes while downplaying losses
• A loss of interest in other hobbies and missing social events
• Allocating a significant portion of free time and finances to gaming
• Betting far beyond one's financial capabilities
• Gradually increasing the amount of money and stakes
• Chasing losses - continuing to play in hopes of recovering previous losses
• Borrowing money to play or pay off gaming-related debts, leading to financial instability and accruing debts
• Withdrawal from responsibilities, such as unexplained absences from work or social gatherings
• Repeated, unsuccessful attempts to reduce gaming time or expenditure
• Being secretive or lying about the extent of gaming involvement
• Mood swings related to gaming activities

Vulnerable Groups

Vulnerable groups include individuals with personal, situational, behavioural factors, or limited access to information that increases their susceptibility to problematic gaming behaviours.

• Personal factors
  Attributes such as age, culture, economic and social status play a crucial role in identifying vulnerability, along with health conditions and physical or cognitive impairments.
• Situational factors
  Individuals experiencing significant life challenges, such as financial hardship, homelessness, domestic or financial abuse, caregiving responsibilities, or abrupt life changes are more susceptible to problematic gaming behaviours.
• Behavioural factors
  An unusually high level of trust or an appetite for risk can also place individuals in vulnerable positions.
• Poor knowledge or limited access to information
  Inadequate knowledge or experience, poor literacy and numeracy skills, or conditions like dyslexia significantly increase vulnerability in commercial gaming.