Gambling addiction (including betting apps)

What it is

Gambling disorder is the only behavioural (non-substance) addiction recognised in the DSM-5-TR, included because problem gambling affects the brain's reward system in ways strikingly similar to drugs. It involves persistent, problematic gambling: needing to bet more to feel the same excitement, being unable to cut back, chasing losses with more bets, lying about the extent of it, and risking relationships, jobs and finances.

In Kenya and across the region this has become urgent. Mobile money and smartphone betting apps have put a casino in every pocket, available every hour, in private, with particularly high participation among young men. What looks like harmless entertainment can become a hidden, devastating addiction.

What it can feel like

The chase is central: a loss demands a bigger bet to win it back, which usually loses more, which demands more. Wins, even small ones, reignite the cycle. Debts mount in secret, money borrowed from friends, family, employers or lenders. Shame deepens the hiding. The constant availability of apps means there is no closing time and no natural pause, and the losses can be catastrophic and fast. The emotional toll, anxiety, depression and, tragically, suicidal thoughts, is serious and well documented.

How common is it

Problem gambling affects a significant minority, with around 1 to 2 in 100 people meeting the threshold for gambling disorder, and more affected at a harmful but lower level. It is more common in young men. In Kenya, where mobile betting is widespread, participation among young people is especially high, which makes this a growing public health concern.

What causes it

There is no single cause. The risk is higher with early exposure, easy and constant access, a family history of addiction or gambling, and using betting to escape stress or low mood. Gambling acts on the brain's reward system in ways similar to drugs, and the near-misses and occasional wins are powerful, which is part of why the habit is so hard to break. Other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, often occur alongside it.

How it is diagnosed

A clinician makes the diagnosis through an honest conversation about betting, control, chasing losses, hiding it, and the effect on money, work, and relationships. There is no test. Because shame keeps it hidden, an open, non-judgemental approach matters, and the clinician also checks for depression, anxiety, and thoughts of self-harm, which are common and serious in gambling disorder.

How it is treated

Treatment helps. CBT is the best-evidenced approach, addressing the thoughts and urges that drive gambling and building strategies to resist them; motivational approaches and peer support (such as Gamblers Anonymous) help many. Practical financial measures, self-exclusion from betting platforms, blocking apps, and having a trusted person help manage money for a period, support recovery alongside the psychological work. Treating co-occurring depression or anxiety is important, given the real risk of suicidal thinking.

Because the addiction is private and shame-laden, simply naming it as a recognised, treatable condition, not a character flaw, is often the first step to help.

Gambling disorder in the African context

Mobile money and smartphone betting apps have put a casino in every pocket across Kenya and the region, available every hour, in private, and heavily advertised, with very high participation among young men. The promise of quick money speaks loudly where incomes are stretched. Losses mount in secret, debts follow, and the shame keeps people from help. Treating gambling as a recognised, treatable addiction, rather than a simple lack of discipline, and using the practical tools below, is what turns the situation around.

Helping someone

If someone you love has a gambling problem, your support matters.

• Talk with care and without blame, at a calm moment.
• Take any mention of self-harm seriously, since the risk is real, and help them reach urgent support.
• Support practical money measures, such as self-exclusion from betting platforms, blocking apps, and a trusted person helping manage money for a time.
• Encourage professional help and peer support such as Gamblers Anonymous, and offer to help find it. Our find a therapist page can help.
• Look after yourself and any shared finances, and stay connected.