By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Addiction to many people means a harmful reliance on a substance. Addiction to gambling represents reliance on an activity.
People addicted to gambling may feel ashamed of how much they lose, gamble frequently, attempt to make up for losses by gambling more, sell or steal items to sell so they can gamble the proceeds and feel strongly compelled to gamble.
In addition to New York’s 34 casinos (including the federally licensed tribal casinos and gaming places), access to gambling includes racetracks, off-track betting and online gambling.
Legal in New York since 2022, online sports betting has become particularly popular. New Jersey experienced a 277% increase in calls to gambling helplines since the state legalized online sports betting in 2018. Most of those calling are ages 34 and younger. Figures for New York are not yet available.
More than 28% of adults (equaling 85 – 90 million people) habitually gamble online, according to a March 2025 poll from the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Although not all of these have a gambling problem, the statistics speak to the popularity of gambling.
Headquartered in New York City but with therapists available locally nationwide, Birches Health focuses on digital addictions, specializing in gambling addiction.
“Anything you enjoy doing can become an addiction,” said physician Tolani Ajagbe, medical director of addiction services and chairman of the department of psychiatry at Crouse Hospital.
“Gambling is one of those things that gives reward,” Ajagbe said. “There’s that high that comes with gambling. Some people have a predilection for developing addiction to begin with. People do things to numb themselves of their emotional distress, pain and discomfort. I believe when people go to gamble, they want something that gives hope. They want a big reward. If they win this money, their life will be so much better and they won’t worry about money.”
Not everyone who gambles has an addiction problem. Gambling addiction can drain bank accounts and credit accounts, deprive family members from what they need and cause relationship and employment problems as more and more time is spent gambling. It’s compulsive and takes over their lives.
“If you do it for fun and it doesn’t take away from your life, that’s different,” Ajagbe said. “The impact is what makes it an
addiction. For those who have a
gambling disorder, it’s
because it gives them something to look forward to. They hope someday they’ll win. It keeps them going. It’s deeper than substances. It also gives euphoria, but it also gives them hope.
“Once your brain starts enjoying things of this nature, it wants more. They may win a little bit and they won’t remember all of the times they’ve lost. It’s a maladaptive behavior people use to address ongoing stress, emptiness and loneliness.”
Addressing underlying mental health problems, trauma and relationship issues can help people holistically address some of the reasons they gamble, in addition to addressing the gambling problem itself. Taking this step requires some self-evaluation.
“It’s no different from other addictions,” Ajagbe said. “If it takes over your life and destroys it and you’re always in financial distress, unemployed, isolated and homeless and you can’t change that behavior, it’s an addiction. Typically, first of all, most people who suffer from addiction are in denial.”
The barriers to care for those seeking help include shame for wasting family resources; social stigma; and lacking nearby and affordable mental healthcare. Despite these factors, “recovery is possible,” said Stephanie Strzelecki, licensed mental health counselor at Paths To Recovery Mental Health Counseling, PLLC in Manlius. “The person has to want to change. Once they acknowledge it and have a support system and desire to change, it’s possible.”
She added that cognitive behavioral therapy and medication can typically help someone ready for these treatments.
Risky behavior like gambling causes the brain to release dopamine. When a person experiences this natural “high” a few times, especially when also experiencing mental health issues, the behavior can become addictive.“Therapy teaches coping skills and alternate ways to release the dopamine they’ve been using negatively,” Strzelecki said. “Therapy is an outlet for individuals to feel vulnerable and comfortable sharing. It’s a space where it opens a gate of communication and processing and changing their mindsets.”
For resources related to problem gambling, visit the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports at https://oasas.ny.gov/gambling. Among its tools, the site provides a voluntary self-exclusion opportunity that aids people in banning themselves from numerous forms of gambling in increments from one year to life.