At The Gambling Clinic®, we’re committed to using science-based knowledge to deliver effective treatment to our clients. When it comes to understanding what works, we are international leaders striving to deliver effective treatment for gambling problems. We conduct our own research, and we also read and learn from other researchers’ work on gambling disorder, addiction, and related topics.

A significant focus for us has been cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBTs), which are methods shown to be helpful for those wanting to change their gambling. We have taken a deep dive into the published evidence about CBTs’ effects on gambling behavior and gambling disorder severity, and also on other psychological symptoms and quality of life.

Treatment at The Gambling Clinic is based on science: According to research, what works for treating problem gambling? We conduct our own research—often based on promising practices, questions, and challenges that come up in our work with our clients. We have published dozens of peer-reviewed articles, and our researchers are recognized as experts in the field.

We also learn from existing research on gambling disorder and addiction more broadly. Recently, researchers affiliated with The Gambling Clinic conducted a series of systematic reviews or meta-analyses of literature about using CBTs to treat problem gambling. Our thoughtfully planned, methodical study of existing publications showed us what research has said about the impact of CBTs for treating problem gambling. What we learn lets us continue to develop and refine our treatment program and help each unique person gain control of their gambling if it’s causing them harm.

We published articles summarizing what we learned, and in this research brief we share highlights.

A systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of CBTs on gambling disorder severity and gambling behavior in randomized controlled trials where one group received CBTs and a control group received an inactive or minimal treatment. There were 29 studies included in the review and meta-analysis, and together they involved a total of 3,991 participants.

When comparing the changes from pre-treatment to post-treatment of people receiving CBTs and people in a control group, those receiving CBTs showed meaningful reductions in:

• Gambling disorder severity
• Gambling frequency
• Gambling intensity

Overall, the literature suggested that CBTs are effective for treating gambling disorder.

In addition to helping with gambling-related behaviors and harms, we wondered whether CBTs for problem gambling might also reduce other psychological symptoms and improve quality of life and life satisfaction. To explore those questions, we conducted another systematic review and meta-analysis to see what research says about any additional benefits CBTs may offer for those in therapy for problem gambling.

This review, which included 9 studies with a total of 658 participants, found that CBTs did offer additional benefits, including:

• Reduced anxiety
• Reduced depression
• Increased quality of life

Overall, people with gambling problems experienced less distress and more satisfaction with their lives after treatment using cognitive-behavioral therapies.

What sets The Gambling Clinic apart is that we draw on the best research to guide our work. Conducting systematic reviews of existing publications is one of the ways we ensure we’re using the most effective science-based practices as we provide therapy and support for our clients. Our recent reviews affirmed that cognitive-behavioral techniques, like those we use, are effective for helping reduce gambling disorder severity and gambling behaviors, while also yielding broader benefits for psychological health and quality of life.

This research brief is based on two articles written by researchers affiliated with The Gambling Clinic and the Tennessee Institute for Gambling Education and Research:

Pfund, R. A., Forman, D. P., King, S. A., Zech, J. M., Ginley, M. K., Peter, S. C., McAfee, N. W., & Whelan, J. P. (2023a). Effect of cognitive-behavioral techniques for problem gambling and gambling disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction, 118(9),1661-1674. doi.org/10.1111/add.16221

Pfund, R. A., King, S. A., Forman, D. P., Zech, J. M., Ginley, M. K., Peter, S. C., McAfee, N. W., Witkiewitz, K., & Whelan, J. P. (2023b). Effects of cognitive-behavioral techniques for gambling on recovery defined by gambling, psychological functioning, and quality of life: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 37, 936-945. doi.org/10.1037/adb0000910

You might also be interested in these articles on related topics:

• Learn about The Gambling Center’s treatment model
• If you’re a therapist interested in using CBTs for treating problem gambling, you may be interested in this research brief or this article published by researchers affiliated with The Gambling Clinic.
• Visit this page for an overview of CBT.

If you’re experiencing harm from your gambling or wondering whether you have a gambling addiction, contact us. We can tell you more about The Gambling Clinic’s treatment program and CBTs for problem gambling so you can decide whether our services might be right for you.

Gambling disorder is an addictive disorder, like substance use disorder. In an addictive disorder, people persist in a behavior like gambling even though it causes them harm. Over time, they need an increasing amount (i.e., gambling with more money) to get the same results, and they experience distress if they try to cut down.

Some common symptoms of a gambling problem or gambling addiction include:

• Being preoccupied with gambling, such as thinking about past wins or planning the next bet
• Gradually increasing the amount of money wagered to achieve the same excitement
• Lying to loved ones to hide the extent of gambling activities
• Gambling to escape stress, loneliness, or depression
• Chasing losses by making more bets in hopes of recovering money
• Finding it hard to limit or stop gambling

People with gambling problems may experience financial harm, emotional distress, and relationship strain. In addition, we know that when one person struggles, the people around them may struggle as well. it has been estimated that for every person with a gambling problem, six additional people experience harm (Goodwin et al., 2017). These people tend to be the people who care about you the most. You can read more about gambling disorder here and find our problem gambling screener here. If you think you might have a gambling problem, contact us to find help.

There’s good news for people who are experiencing gambling harms or who are concerned they have a gambling problem or a gambling addiction. Treatment using CBTs is effective for problem gambling. CBTs’ effectiveness results from addressing cognitive, emotional, and environmental drivers of gambling.

Sometimes people who want to cut down on their gambling intend to use willpower. It’s important to make a commitment and be motivated to make changes in your life. But often that’s not enough. It’s hard to change our habits and behaviors and do something different than we’re used to. That’s where CBTs come in. They focus on how your thoughts, feelings, and actions fit together in your life. When you understand what leads to your behaviors, you’re better able to find ways of shifting them.

We all have experienced how choices that are hard in one environment are easier in another. That’s why CBTs consider your context. What places, content, and experiences trigger the urge to gamble for you? Are there ways you can adjust your environment to reduce those triggers? For instance, you might find it helpful to block gambling-related ads from your social media feed if ads tend to make you want to gamble.

CBTs also consider your thoughts. What do you believe will happen when you gamble? For example, do you believe you’re bound to win the next bet because you were so close on the last one? Do you feel like your luck is sure to change because a losing streak can only last so long? CBTs help you examine whether your beliefs are accurate, and whether they help you make the choices you want to in relation to gambling. If not, you may be able to shift your thinking.

CBTs also help you understand what sorts of emotions may nudge you toward gambling. Do you tend to gamble when you’re bored? If so, it could be helpful to find other hobbies you enjoy. Do you gamble when you’re angry or worried or upset? Then you might want to learn some tools for managing your emotions so you have other ways of dealing with those feelings besides gambling.

CBTs help you understand the sources of your thoughts, emotions, and actions so you can figure out how to make any changes you decide on and build the life you want.

Contact us if you’re interested in exploring how The Gambling Clinic can help you make changes you want in your gambling and in your life.