If you’ve ever walked into a casino, you’ve probably noticed something: the haze of cigarette smoke drifting through the air. For some, lighting up a cigar or puffing on a vape might seem like part of the gambling experience. But what if that casino cigar isn’t just affecting your lungs—it’s also influencing how you gamble and increasing your chances of experiencing gambling harm?

Recent research sheds light on how nicotine use while gambling could be doing more harm than you realize. Let’s explore how the combination of nicotine and gambling works, why it can be risky, and what you can do to protect yourself.

The Link Between Nicotine and Gambling

A study conducted with over 470 weekly gamblers revealed some surprising findings about nicotine use and its effects during gambling. Participants were asked about their gambling habits, nicotine use, and how they believed nicotine impacted their gambling. 

Here’s what the researchers discovered:

  • Common Expectations of Nicotine: Most participants believed that nicotine had positive effects on their gambling experience and could even increase their chances of winning (despite no scientific evidence supporting this).
  • Frequent Nicotine Use: People who used nicotine in the past month were more likely to believe that it influenced their gambling.
  • Nicotine and Gambling Harms: There was a strong connection between expecting nicotine to have positive effects and experiencing gambling-related problems, such as financial losses, strained relationships, or emotional distress.

Why Does Nicotine Feel Like It Helps While Gambling?

Nicotine is a stimulant, which means it can temporarily boost your brain’s activity. That’s why smokers often say it helps them focus or feel calm under stress. In a high-stakes environment like a casino, this can create a dangerous illusion of control.

Here’s why it feels like nicotine might “help” when you gamble:

  • Stress Reduction: Gambling can be stressful, especially when money is on the line. Nicotine releases dopamine, a chemical that temporarily makes you feel good. It tricks your brain into thinking the stress is gone, but this feeling doesn’t last long.
  • Improved Focus: Many gamblers believe nicotine helps them concentrate, especially during card games like poker. But this focus can lead to riskier bets as it lowers your ability to evaluate long-term consequences.
  • False Confidence: The belief that nicotine boosts performance can lead to overconfidence, encouraging you to gamble more than you normally would.

The Real Risks of Nicotine While Gambling

While nicotine might feel like it’s helping, it often leads to more harm than good—both in your health and in your gambling behaviors.

1. Gambling Harms

Nicotine use can create a feedback loop that worsens gambling problems. For example:

  • Increased Play Time: Nicotine can keep you feeling awake and alert, making it easier to gamble for long periods.
  • Riskier Bets: Feeling focused or confident can lead to taking bigger risks, which might result in greater losses.
  • Emotional Dependency: Relying on nicotine to reduce gambling-related stress can make it harder to break the cycle of gambling.

2. Physical Health Risks

While nicotine’s link to gambling harm is concerning, it’s important to remember the significant health dangers associated with its use. These risks go beyond gambling behavior and have long-term consequences for your well-being:

  • Cigarettes and Cigars: Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death, contributing to lung damage, heart disease, and various forms of cancer, including lung and throat cancer. The toxins in tobacco smoke affect nearly every organ in your body, compounding the harm over time.
  • Vapes and E-Cigarettes: Although often marketed as a safer alternative, vaping still exposes you to harmful chemicals. These can cause lung irritation, respiratory issues, and a sustained risk of nicotine addiction. In some cases, long-term vaping has led to severe lung diseases, such as EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury).

Using nicotine, regardless of the form, can have cumulative effects on your physical and mental health. Pairing it with gambling only compounds these risks, as the combination can strain your heart and elevate stress levels over time.

Protecting your health by reducing or eliminating nicotine use not only benefits your body but also empowers you to make clearer, more mindful decisions in all aspects of life—including gambling.

3. Financial Costs

Both gambling and nicotine use are expensive habits. Combining them can quickly drain your wallet. Imagine spending money on cigarettes or vapes during every casino visit on top of your gambling expenses—it adds up fast.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While nicotine use among gamblers is common, certain groups may be at higher risk for gambling harm:

  • Frequent Gamblers: People who gamble weekly or more often are more likely to use nicotine and believe in its supposed benefits.
  • Younger Gamblers: Teens and young adults are especially vulnerable because they may be drawn to vaping, which feels trendy and less harmful than smoking.
  • Those Already Struggling: Individuals dealing with financial, emotional, or relationship problems might turn to nicotine as a coping mechanism, creating a cycle of dependency.

Breaking the Cycle: How to Protect Yourself

If you’re someone who gambles and uses nicotine, taking proactive steps to protect yourself can make a big difference. Here are some strategies to help reduce harm and regain control:

1. Be Aware of Your Triggers

Understanding when and why you reach for nicotine while gambling is an important first step. Are you using nicotine to calm anxiety, ease frustration, or fill time while waiting between rounds? Recognizing these triggers allows you to identify healthier coping strategies. For example:

  • If stress drives your nicotine use, try deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation techniques.
  • If boredom is a factor, bring a distraction, such as a puzzle app or a good book, to keep your mind engaged.

By pinpointing your triggers, you can work on reducing your reliance on nicotine during gambling sessions.

2. Set Clear Boundaries

Establishing limits around gambling and nicotine use is key to breaking harmful cycles. Consider:

  • Time Limits: Set a specific amount of time for your gambling activities and stick to it. Use a timer or ask a friend to check in with you.
  • Spending Limits: Decide how much money you’re willing to lose ahead of time and leave your cards at home, bringing only the cash you’ve budgeted.
  • Nicotine-Free Zones: Commit to not using nicotine while gambling. Instead, take short breaks to get fresh air, hydrate, or stretch to reset your focus without lighting up.

3. Challenge Your Expectations

The belief that nicotine can improve your gambling performance is a powerful illusion. 

Take time to remind yourself of the facts:

  • Gambling outcomes are entirely random—neither focus nor skill can change the odds.
  • Nicotine may give a brief sense of calm or energy, but these effects are fleeting and often counterproductive in the long run.

To help reframe your mindset, consider journaling your experiences. Write down how nicotine actually makes you feel during gambling sessions versus how you expect it to help. Seeing the difference on paper can be a powerful motivator to change.

4. Seek Support

Overcoming the dual challenges of gambling harm and nicotine addiction isn’t easy, but help is available. You don’t have to do it alone. Here are some resources to consider:

  • Hotlines: Reach out to gambling or tobacco cessation hotlines for confidential support and guidance.
  • Support Groups: Join a group of peers who understand your struggles, such as Gamblers Anonymous or nicotine cessation programs like Quitlines.
  • Professional Counseling: Licensed therapists and counselors can provide tools to manage cravings, reduce gambling harm, and address underlying emotional triggers. Many clinics specialize in addiction and offer customized treatment plans for co-occurring issues.

Making the First Move Toward Change

Change starts with small, actionable steps. Whether it’s scheduling your first counseling session, setting a spending limit at the casino, or swapping a cigarette for a moment of mindfulness, every step helps you take back control. By addressing nicotine and gambling together, you can pave the way for healthier habits and a more balanced life.

Alternatives to Nicotine While Gambling

If you’re looking for healthier ways to manage stress or improve focus while gambling, consider these alternatives:

  • Drink Water or Tea: Staying hydrated helps you stay alert without the risks of nicotine.
  • Practice Mindfulness: Take a few deep breaths or use a short meditation app to stay calm and focused.
  • Chew Gum or Snacks: Keeping your hands and mouth busy can reduce the urge to smoke or vape.

The Bigger Picture

This research is a reminder that gambling harm isn’t just about how much money you lose—it’s also about the behaviors and substances that influence your decisions. While nicotine might seem like a harmless part of the casino experience, it can lead to risky gambling habits and make existing problems worse.

By understanding the link between nicotine and gambling, you can make more informed choices and protect your health, finances, and well-being. Remember, that casino cigar might be costing you more than you think.

Need Help? You’re Not Alone

If you or someone you know is struggling with nicotine addiction or gambling harm, reach out for support. Here are some resources:

  • National Problem Gambling Helpline: Call or text 1-800-522-4700.
  • Quit Smoking Resources: Visit smokefree.gov for tips on quitting.

By taking small steps, you can break the cycle and enjoy a healthier, happier future—no nicotine or gambling harm required.

Gambling Addiction Recovery | The Gambling Clinic in Tennessee

If gambling has started to take control of your life, The Gambling Clinic in Tennessee is here to help. We specialize in providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a proven method for addressing gambling problems, to individuals throughout the state. With offices in Nashville, Memphis, and Johnson City, we offer in-person support to those ready to make a change. For added convenience, the clinic also provides virtual telehealth sessions, ensuring help is accessible no matter where you are in Tennessee. Reach out to The Gambling Clinic today and take the first step toward reclaiming your life.