From childhood curiosity to adulthood addiction

PETALING JAYA: What starts out as a curiosity during childhood to try a hand at gambling can turn into an addiction in adult life, warns a psychologist.

Dr Geshina Ayu Mat Saat said if the interest became addictive, it could continue into adulthood.

She said there were cases where gamblers turned to stealing because they needed to sustain their habit.

“Those involved in the cases I am familiar with are adults but they all started gambling from young,” Dr Geshina said.

She said children who were involved in gambling did not view the behaviour as wrong.

“For children, any gambling win is fair game because they see it as working hard to ensure it. They don’t see it as a crime,” she added.

Dr Geshina, who is also a criminologist, said gambling often started with curiosity and not so much as peer pressure.

She said as gambling was frowned upon, it made children feel as though they were doing something forbidden. “When they win something, like a bet or a game, there is the feeling of fun, thrill and pleasure.

“This is enough to start an addictive behaviour,” she added.

With today’s technology, youngsters do not need any gambling outlets. They can even play mahjong online.

Dr Geshina said among the tell-tale signs of children addicted to gambling were asking for more pocket money, spending excessive time at cyber cafes or in front of the computer at home and preferring to keep to themselves instead of mingling with family members.

She said parents should be concerned if their child spent more than four hours a day in front of the computer. “They will keep it from the parents but they will tell friends.

“Of course, there are syndicates dealing with children and gambling because they are easy prey but it all starts with the child’s own curiosity,” she said.

To tackle this, she suggested that parents take the “developmental approach”. “Avoid being confrontational. Determine the root cause and figure out the best way to intervene.

“Parents and teachers should not tell the world about the child’s habit. Do not humiliate the child as it will only create resentment.”

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