Sunday, July 5, 2015

Gambling disorder and the responsibility

Recently, I heard a lawsuit case between a billionaire and a casino. Safa Abodulla Al-Geabury spent more than 2,000,000 GBP at Ritz Club in Mayfair in Feb 2014, and he could not return the debt to the casino.


So, the Ritz Hotel Casino filed a lawsuit to recover the money. On the other hand, Al-Geabury himself also counterclaimed his lost money, for letting him enter the casino even knowing he had a gambling addiction.

International Business Times: 'The devil made me gamble,' says Swiss tycoon who lost £2m at London casino

Indeed, licensed casinos have a duty to protect people from the harm of gambling in some countries. They make a black list in which problematic gamblers are identified to shut them out in advance.

However, the claim of Al-Gearbury looks ridiculous. I am doubtful if he declared his gambling addiction in the case he had won. If his claim were accepted, he would have to return the money he earned before.

Gambling disorder, previously pathological gambling, is a mental disorder listed in DSM-5. People who have this disorder hardly control their gambling behavior, similar to craving to some illegal drugs. They need treatment. They should handle the result of gambling, nonetheless, in my opinion.

Psychotherapy is mainly used in the treatment. I am engaging in a translation of a textbook of cognitive behavioral therapy of gambling disorder. In addition, dysregulation of dopaminergic release in the brain during exposure to gambling occasion is suggested. This fact indicates a possibility of effective medication strategy.

In Japan, opening a private gambling place is prohibited, though there are many Pachinko building everywhere. Gambling disorders are relatively rare. One of the reasons is that there are many other entertainments in Japan.

In London, I see some casinos on the street. To be honest, they look not attractive at all.

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