Addiction to gambling goes beyond pulling a lever or playing cards. Your brain lights up like a Christmas tree after your first major triumph. Like drugs, man. You follow that feeling even when the chances are against you because it hijacks your reward system. It goes beyond luck. It depends on your brain wiring, life events, and money and risk beliefs. Not everyone is susceptible, and it's hard to predict who will tumble down that rabbit hole
What can you do? Man, be aware. When playing, you must be mindful of your emotions. Thinking you're invincible or about to win big is a red flag. It's time to reconsider. In the zone, it's hard to accomplish that. Flashing lights and coins striking the tray can make you lose track of time. Set limits, know when to leave, and have a support system if needed
Hahaha 😂😂, saying that a gambler's brain lights up lik a Christmas tree is really a perfect description of a gambler's reaction after they have either won or lose in a bet. If they stake and win on the first hand, they will be filled with enthusiasm to stake more, believing that the luck will run in their favor again and when they lose, they will have enough enthusiasm to stake more, believing that they will win that time. Funny how some gamblers react and fall into addiction at the end of the race.
This is why it is said that there are people that due to their genetic inheritance are more likely to become addicts, the reward system on your brain, aka dopamine, will reward you with some dopamine after a win, however in most people that reward will be on the small side and this will allow you to stop whenever you want, however for some people the reward will be so stimulant that they will keep gambling just to experiment that feeling again, regardless of the consequences this behavior may have on their finances.