Latest News
ADHD and Gambling Online: Tips to Avoid Problem Gaming
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. While these symptoms can pose challenges in various aspects of life, one area that is often overlooked is the potential link between ADHD and gambling.
Online gambling platforms have made it easier than ever for individuals to engage in gambling activities. From online casinos to sports betting, these platforms offer a variety of gambling options that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. However, for individuals with ADHD, the easy accessibility and fast pace of online gambling can pose a significant risk.
The thrill of online gambling can be particularly enticing for individuals with ADHD. The fast-paced nature of online games and the immediate gratification of winning can trigger a rush of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This can momentarily help them feel more focused and the brain just wants more, leading to a cycle of gambling to chase that feeling of reward.
The Intersection of ADHD and Gambling
ADHD affects approximately 5% of children and about 2.5% of adults globally. On the other hand, problem gambling, also known as gambling addiction, affects about 1-3% of the population. Interestingly, studies have shown a higher prevalence of gambling problems among people with ADHD compared to the general population.
A study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders in 2016 found that adults with ADHD were almost three times more likely to have problem gambling behaviors. This correlation suggests that the impulsivity and risk-taking behavior often associated with ADHD may contribute to a higher propensity for gambling problems.
The Role of Impulsivity in Problem Gambling
Impulsivity, a common symptom of ADHD, is also a key factor in problem gambling. It’s the tendency to act on a whim, without thinking of the consequences: grab casino bonuses with unfavorable conditions, sign up for unlicensed casinos, take small loans to take part in gambling, etc.
A 2017 study in the journal “Psychiatry Research” found that impulsivity was a significant predictor of problem gambling among individuals with ADHD. The study also suggested that interventions targeting impulsivity could be beneficial in treating gambling problems in this population.
The Impact of ADHD Medication on Gambling
ADHD is commonly treated with stimulant medications like methylphenidate and amphetamines. While these medications can help manage ADHD symptoms, their impact on gambling behavior is less clear.
Some research suggests that ADHD medication could potentially exacerbate gambling problems. A study in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology in 2015 found that a group of patients on ADHD medication had higher rates of gambling disorder. However, more research is needed in this area to draw definitive conclusions.
Recognizing Problematic Gambling Behaviors
Recognizing the signs of problematic gambling is crucial for individuals with ADHD. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), someone could have a gambling disorder if at least four of the following have been true for that person within the past year:
- A need to gamble with an increasing amount of money to get the same level of excitement.
- Feeling restless or irritable when not gambling or gambling less.
- Unable to cut back or stop gambling, even when trying.
- Thinks a lot about gambling, remembering good experiences and planning future gambling activities.
- Gambles to relieve stress, anxiety, depression, or guilt.
- Chases losses, which means gambling more after losing to try and make up for the loss.
- Lies about gambling activity to cover it up.
- Has lost a job, significant opportunity, or had a relationship end because of gambling.
- Asks other people for money to clear up financial problems caused by gambling.
Tips for Managing ADHD and Gambling
For those living with ADHD and choosing to gamble, it’s crucial to have strategies in place to manage the increased risk of developing a gambling problem. Here are some tips:
Practice taking a pause before you act: Make a plan with yourself that you will pause before starting to gamble. During this time, ask yourself questions, e.g., “How will this play out if I gamble right now? Is this the right move for me?” Building this pause-and-reflect muscle is particularly helpful with ADHD.
Set limits with your gambling: Use the tools available on many online websites to set a time or spending limit. Discuss your limits with someone supportive.
Get to know your “brand” of ADHD: Understand how ADHD affects you and your particular patterns with gambling. Figure out your risky times to gamble and how to manage them.
Seeking Help
If you or a loved one is dealing with ADHD and a gambling problem, it’s important to seek help. Medical professionals can customize a treatment plan that works for you, and a therapist can provide coping mechanisms. Many problem gamblers with ADHD have successfully controlled their gambling by planning each of their days to cut down on their impulsivity.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a common treatment for gambling addiction, can be particularly effective. CBT helps individuals change unhealthy gambling behaviors and thoughts, such as the belief that gambling can solve their financial problems.
In addition to seeking help for ADHD, you can also get assistance in managing your gambling behavior from professionals. There are numerous resources available, including hotlines, support groups, and counseling services. Remember, you’re not alone, and help is available.
Use Tools and Apps
There are various tools and apps available that can help manage online gambling. These include apps that block access to gambling websites.
One of the most effective strategies for managing ADHD and online gambling is to set limits. This includes setting a budget for how much money can be spent on gambling and sticking to it. It also involves setting time limits for how long one can gamble in a single session.
Join Support Groups
Support groups can provide a safe space to share experiences and learn from others who are facing similar challenges. These groups can offer valuable insights and strategies for managing ADHD and online gambling.
Conclusion
The connection between ADHD and online gambling is a significant concern that requires awareness and proactive management. By recognizing the signs of problematic gambling, setting limits, seeking professional help, using tools and apps, and joining support groups, individuals with ADHD can navigate the world of online gambling safely and responsibly.
About 59% of people aged 6 to 69 in Germany play video games. Overall, the number of players in the country has risen significantly in the last several years. Across all age groups, some 37.5 million Germans – more than ever before – play video games on consoles, PCs and smartphones. This represents an increase of around 9% in the number of players since 2020. These are the new figures released by game – the German Games Industry Association, based on data collected by YouGov.
The development among players over 60 is especially dynamic, with this group having grown from 6.4 to 7.7 million in just 12 months. The growth in the proportion of older gamers is partly due to the fact that many gamers have been playing games for decades. On the other hand, more and more older people are discovering the joy of video games. Thus the trend of recent years continues, with the average age of German players also surpassing 39 for the first time – rising from 38.2 in 2023 to 39.5 in 2024. In total, 8 in 10 players in Germany (79%) are over 18 years old. With regard to the gender of players in Germany, the distribution has remained balanced in the last several years, at around 48% women and 52% men.
“Games fascinate millions of people in Germany – young and old, women and men. The majority of Germans have been playing games for a long time and the number is increasing. The steadily rising average age of gamers is also exciting: we are fast approaching the age of 40. This makes clear what still surprises many people: whether they are 17 or 70, games inspire people of all ages and the proportion of older players is growing particularly strongly,” said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association.
After attaining unprecedented heights in recent years, the German games market saw a dip in its growth trajectory in 2024. Last year, sales revenue from games, gaming hardware and online gaming services in Germany totalled 9.4 billion euros – a 6% drop from the year before. This downturn was especially pronounced in purchases of games for PCs, consoles and smartphones (−17%, to 921 million euros), as well as in hardware purchases (−10%, to 2.9 billion euros). Running counter to the overall market trend, revenue from online gaming services saw a double-digit increase, rising 12% from the level of 2023, to 965 million euros.
The post About 59% of Germans Aged 6-69 Play Video Games appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
TaDa Gaming celebrates GiftCode’s successful first year since launch. Applicable to both slots and TaDa’s unique fishing-shooting games, GiftCode offers immediate rewards which can be effortlessly tailored and adapted to any operator requirement or marketing campaign.
Hitting its first anniversary, a minimum of 1,000,000 GiftCodes are now issued monthly through 300+ streamers with 100% take up. This strong creator eco-system enables codes to be delivered across media and platforms with tournaments, introductory rewards and churned player campaigns leading the way for operator success through powerful marketing alongside player rewards.
An uplift of Daily Active Users by a minimum of 18% and a 15% increase in engagement and player acquisition levels has confirmed that GiftCode is the simple and highly effective gamification tool the industry was lacking.
The 2024 initial test run in Brazil saw 100 streamers receive 500,000 GiftCode links. An instant redemption rate of 95+% and new player sign up increasing by more than 30,000 per month confirmed TaDa’s research and development and gave operators confidence to incorporate GiftCode to their offering.
Now, with the addition of personalised codes for player segmentation, regionally specific influencer packs and multi-brand and aggregator deployment, few other gamification tools can offer such consistently high impact and measurable results, meaning this is a very happy anniversary for TaDa.
Sean Liu, Director of Product Management at TaDa Gaming, said: “GiftCode’s inherent simplicity is the key to its success. It does what it is supposed to do and does it fantastically well for both operators and players. Our new enhancements make GiftCode even more engaging, securing its future as our go-to gamification tool.”
The post TaDa Gaming Celebrates GiftCode’s Successful First Year Since Launch appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
South Africa is once again positioning itself as a leader in ethical gambling practices, with the upcoming Responsible Gambling Summit 2025 set to take place on 13–14 November 2025 at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Gauteng. This landmark event will gather international experts, regulators, and industry professionals to address the most pressing challenges in responsible gambling across Africa.
Hosted by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) in collaboration with major regulatory bodies such as the National Gambling Board, Eastern Cape Gambling Board, and Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, the summit aims to drive forward an evidence-based, solutions-focused agenda that ensures gambling growth does not come at the cost of public well-being.
As South Africa continues to see rising participation in both land-based and gambling online, the summit is timely. It will tackle issues ranging from technological safeguards and public health integration, to policy harmonisation and vulnerable population protection.
Advocating for Safer Online Gambling
As South Africa strengthens its role in setting responsible gambling standards, SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za remains at the forefront of this effort in the online casino space. Our portal is more than a online casino listing site — it is a trusted source of expert advice, consumer guidance, and responsible gambling advocacy.
Since our inception, we have maintained a clear policy: we only recommend licensed, regulated casinos in south africa that adhere to strict player protection measures. These include transparent terms, fair bonus practices, and built-in tools such as deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion options.
“The online gambling landscape in South Africa is growing rapidly,” says a spokesperson for SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za. “But with growth comes responsibility. Our mission is to ensure players have access to safe, ethical gambling environments. We support the goals of the Responsible Gambling Summit and encourage every operator to prioritise the welfare of their players.”
Practical Frameworks for Change
The Responsible Gambling Summit 2025 will focus on seven key thematic areas:
- Understanding gambling behaviour and disorders through science-led approaches.
- Overcoming barriers to effective policy implementation, including gaps in education and enforcement.
- Leveraging technology, such as AI-driven risk detection and real-time player monitoring.
- Adopting global regulatory best practices tailored to South African realities.
- Protecting at-risk individuals and communities, especially youth and those in lower-income brackets.
- Educating the public on the risks of gambling and how to stay safe.
- Building international networks to ensure future readiness and consistency across borders.
Each session is designed to lead to real-world outcomes, with progress monitored and reported biennially. This commitment to transparency aligns with broader calls for industry-wide accountability.
How Players Can Gamble Responsibly
Whether you’re new to online casinos or an experienced player, here are some essential responsible gambling tips:
- Treat gambling as entertainment, not a way to make money.
- Set a time limit before you start and stick to it.
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
- Avoid playing when you are upset, stressed, or intoxicated.
- Use built-in responsible gaming tools provided by licensed operators.
- Keep track of your play history and regularly review your habits.
- Seek help if gambling is no longer fun, or if it begins to impact your personal life.
At SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za, we make these practices easier by highlighting casinos that offer responsible gambling features as part of our review process. Each recommended site undergoes a thorough evaluation based on licensing, fairness, transparency, and player protection standards.
Our Commitment to the South African Gambling Community
With a growing base of South African users, SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za plays an important educational role in the online gambling space. Our platform offers in-depth guides, news updates, free bonus casinos, free spins casinos and strategy articles designed to help players make informed decisions.
We actively follow developments in gambling regulation and work to ensure our listings are in line with the latest responsible gambling initiatives. As the conversation around ethical gambling evolves, so does our content — reflecting the high standards that South African players deserve.
South Africa’s leadership in responsible gambling sets a high standard not just for the continent, but for the global industry. By playing at casinos that are transparent, regulated, and committed to safety — such as those featured on SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za — players can enjoy the entertainment of gambling while staying in control.
-
partnerships4 weeks agoOctoplay accelerates UK and Irish growth with strategic BoyleSports partnership
-
Asia3 weeks ago
Jetapult Strengthens AI Expertise: Onboards Industry Leaders, Oz Silahtar and Dr. Arjun Jain
-
Latin America4 weeks ago
SOFTSWISS Ignites Brazil with ‘Race Like a Legend’ Experience
-
Balkans4 weeks ago
Playson tightens grip on Croatian market with landmark Hrvatska Lutrija deal
-
Africa2 weeks ago
Association of Gaming Operators in Kenya Announces New Regulations
-
Press Releases3 weeks ago
Colour the world your way in Supa Crew by Swintt’s Elysium Studios
-
Press Releases2 weeks ago
Swintt stacks up a pyramid of wins in Egypt King Pearl Upgrade
-
Compliance Updates2 weeks ago
MGCB Targets 11 Illegal Online Casinos Operating Without Licenses
