Studies have shown that our genes may be up to 70% responsible for gambling behavior. Now a new genetic test can identify who may be most predisposed to becoming hooked on gambling.
Around 90% of Brits have had a flutter at least once in their lives, whether that’s a fiver on the Grand National or a pound on a fruit machine. However, for some people, placing a bet gradually becomes more than an occasional thrill and, instead, a behavioral change that progresses to addiction.
Around 2% of people are unable to stop gambling activities that result in harm to themselves, their social network or society. ‘Gambling Disorder’ is a form of behavioral addiction with potentially severe consequences. It’s now believed that up to 70% of our gambling behavior could be down to our entire genetic makeup, rather than responding to the thrill of the moment.
A leading testing expert, Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, says:
Recent changes to gaming laws will help people who lose a lot of money in a short time, but far more work needs to be done to address this problem. It is important to not only examine this from a legal perspective but to understand the factors that lead people to develop gambling disorder.
