The Thrill of Risk: Why We Love to Gamble

The thrill of risk taking is not something exclusive to gambling. It is a driving force behind a lot of what we do, and we can't simply dig up a simple explanation to explain why that is so. Risk taking is psychological, but there are biological, cultural, and environmental factors that can accentuate the impulse to take risks.

And the lines become more blurred when we try to define “excessive risk taking” or in context, gambling addiction. This is why gambling is governed in so many different ways across the world, and why some countries have a full ban on gambling. Yet risk taking is very much a part of everyday life, and comes in various forms.

Where Risk Taking Stems From

Gambling is playing with risk, for the chance to beat the odds and win potentially. It can be just as absorbing as playing a demo casino game, in which you are not playing for real money. We just love the uncertainty, and the possibility of winning feels like a reward. Specifically, a reward for having the gusto to go in and take the risk.

The feeling is not really counter-intuitive at all. Risk taking and quick decision making is an important trait used by our ancestors. Humans evolved taking risks, risks were needed to survive, and this is still very true today. We are encouraged in our youth to go out and socialise, learn how to solve problems and foster creativity. Risk taking is central to either succeeding in our endeavours or learning from mistakes and errors for any future risks.

But gambling is not the same as picking a university, moving to a new country, starting a family or buying a house. It falls more into the category of “hobby risk taking” or ventures that you do to emulate the feeling. Extreme sports, dangerous activities (like car racing), day trading stocks, and casino gaming are sensual risks that make us feel alive.

Adrenaline Boost and Dopamine Rushes

The uncertainty of whether or not you will win creates tension and strong emotions. There is undoubtedly a tingling of fear, coupled with the wonder of what if I win, what if the stars align and suddenly I'll get my reward. Your heart beats a little faster – this is the adrenaline building in your system. Let's delve a little into the science behind risk taking.

Specifically, your adrenal gland produces cortisol and adrenaline, hormones which carry around through your body. Adrenaline is the flight or fight hormone, that boosts your muscle and cardiac function, heightening your senses and can be associated with anger and self-defence. Cortisol is the stress hormone, that can increase your energy and lower fatigue in the short run, but over sustained periods of time can wear you out.

If you win, then your brain will release dopamine, the pleasure hormone, that instantly satisfies your needs. This sudden rush is what you wanted, and the reason why you took the risks. But it can be short lived, and you may be enticed to follow up with another dopamine rush. This surge can lead players to come back for more, craving to win again. Funnily enough, we can also get dopamine rushes when we lose but are really close to victory. Such as betting on 34 on the roulette wheel and the ball landing on 35. Or if you are playing the Powerball and are 1 number short of hitting the big time.

These hormones are not exclusive to gambling and taking risks, but the activity does accentuate them. Our job is to handle our hormones and understand why we take these risks and how to avoid excessive risk taking.

Beyond the Physiological and Psychological Urges

The examples given above are not really a fair representation of most casino gamers. You are not going to be as stressed or tense when you are playing slots for under $1 a spin. Smaller risks come with smaller dopamine rushes, and safe gamblers are not driven manically by the need to pump up their adrenaline.

However, there are a lot of external factors that also come into play, explaining why some people take heavier risks.

How Different Cultures Approach Gambling

Gambling can be considered a past time in some cultures. It may not necessarily involve slots or roulette tables, but casual games of poker, betting on sports or betting on a game of pool will do. This influences the way an individual may approach gambling, and they may not understand the fuller implications of playing for hours on end.

Biological and Demographic Statistics

Beyond hormones and pleasure, there are other personal biological factors to consider. It is well-documented that gambling is more risky for younger people. Teenagers are less likely to see the risks involved and are more vulnerable to addiction. Adults aged 18-24 are also in the higher risk demographic as their brains are still in development and they may act more impulsively.

Older individuals are less likely to become addicted unless they are suffering from impairments or mental health challenges, such as cognitive decline or dementia. Also, men tend to engage more in gambling activities than women.

Environmental Factors and Addictive Traits

Your social-economic status can also factor in on your risk taking activities. Especially with something like trading on the stock exchange or gambling for real money. The motivation is winning money, and the opportunities that it will unlock.

You will also be more susceptible to risk taking if you display forms of addiction elsewhere. Smoking, excessive drinking, shopping, and any other addiction you can think of. Addictive traits can be found nearly anywhere, and it is important to realise that these do have an impact on your risk taking.

Solutions to Avoid Needless Risk Taking

In the worst case scenario, you can self-exclude from online and landbased casinos, thus cutting you off from gambling entirely. But that is a tool reserved for gamblers who are in serious dangers of addiction. It is not to be taken lightly at all. For example, if you get frustrated from a loss and then decide to self-exclude for 1 month, and then do it again a few months later, you may find yourself completely cut off. The casino operator thinks you are in danger, and therefore bans you from gaming there ever again.

The first question you must ask yourself is “am I a problem gambler or not?”. There are plenty of organisations with useful material and information on this topic, and they even have hotlines that you can call to work it out with a trained professional.

• GamCare
• GambleAware
• American Gaming Association
• The Responsible Gambling Council

Staying Safe with Responsible Gambling Tools

Established casinos and licensed online casinos must all work closely with responsible gambling organisations to promote player health and safety. In the countries where gambling is legal, there is always a governmental organisation that promotes safer gambling, as well as a few approved independent firms. Like the ones listed above. All legitimate casino operators must provide players with a range of safer gambling tools, so that they can control their spending and the time they spend gaming.

A lot of online casinos prompt you to either browse through these tools, or make limits as soon as you sign up. This is a good practice as it shows you early on how you can check in on your time and money spent at the casino. Here are some of the most important tools you should be aware of.

Controlling How Much Money You Spend

You can set weekly deposit limits, or set them for monthly or daily spending. By doing so, you are making sure that you will only top up your gaming account with money that you can afford to spend gaming. If you run out of money before the end of the week, you will just have to wait until the following week to top up your account and game for real money again. In the meantime, you can either play demo versions of your favourite games, or take some time away.

Putting a Timer on Your Gaming Sessions

Time really does fly when you are having fun. Especially when you are playing casino games and on a good winning streak. But it is essential to keep track of time, because getting carried away does not usually pay off with online casino gaming. All it requires is for you to set a reality check or a timer. Let's say you clock a 30 minute timer, then after 30 minutes of gaming you will get a notification that your 30 minutes are up. You can choose to carry on playing, but by the third or fourth reality check, you should take a break.

Reaching Out for Help

Don't underestimate the benefits of reaching out to casino customer support or calling a gambling awareness hotline. They will not instantly put you in a box and label you a problem gambler. Their job is to help you out and give you handy information that can help you avoid running into any trouble. The professional advice does not cost you a cent, and it can change the way you play. Maybe you are taking too many risks, or you are going too hard on a few big ones. A professional will give you some handy pointers to show you what you can do.

Summarising the Thrill of Risk Taking in Gambling

Risk taking is not necessarily a bad thing at all. The thrill is very real, and the dopamine rush effect feels amazing. But ultimately these games are designed for entertainment purposes, and not to be ladders to riches untold. There is no secret hack to winning, or reward for trying harder than anyone else. No, the only thing you will build is your cortisol levels, which is extremely dangerous.

Instead, you should play these games for the reason they are there. As entertaining risk taking ventures, which may bring you some money, but may not.

A pensioner who buys lottery tickets every week may do so because they can watch the numbers drawn on TV and get a little kick out of the thrill.

A slots player may like the fast-paced nature of their favourite games, and would love to hit a jackpot. But they don't expect to hit major payouts everytime they play.

We all do it for the fun, and use safer gambling tools if necessary to ensure it is not a costly risk taking hobby.