“There’s no such thing as responsible gambling. Remember when we were told to smoke responsibly, and that opiate pain pills aren’t addictive? -Kavita Fischer, MD
Several years ago, when Dr. Kavita Fischer downloaded an online betting app, she was just looking for something fun to do with her free time. However, within months she found herself so consumed by online gambling that she was taking out loans, chasing losses, and unable to stop, even after a big win that could have cleared her debt.
Now, she has become a leading advocate for the change in what she describes as a “predatory” industry, sharing her story of gambling disorder and relapse. As she points out, gambling disorder is among the most stigmatized of all addictions, and silence protects the industry, not the patients. In this essential episode, she and Dr. Reid discuss the conflicted interests of those who are supposed to provide regulations to the industry, the broken treatment landscape, and what real public health reform would look like.
*Please note that this episode mentions suicide and non-suicidal self-injury.
“Responsible Gambling” Is a Myth
This phrase places all blame on the individual, mirroring the tobacco and opioid playbooks. Consumer protection messaging, not personal responsibility tropes, is what’s needed. After all, responsible gambling campaigns are estimated to be up to 90% funded by the gambling industry itself, creating an obvious conflict of interest.
“It smells like, looks like something uncomfortably familiar: normalizing a product, denying the harm, blaming the user. That’s exactly what we saw with tobacco and opioids.”
-Kavita Fischer, MD
The Product Is Engineered for Addiction
Online gambling moved the casino from a destination to your pocket. Research shows proximity to a casino increases gambling disorder risk, and now everyone is living with a casino in their pocket. These apps are designed to keep you clicking and loop you back in when you try to leave. Unlike alcohol, the industry actively sends promotions and re-engagement offers to people who are trying to quit.
“No one’s leaving alcohol at your doorstep. No industry is sending coupons for alcohol to prevent you from getting treatment. That’s exactly what this industry does.”
-Kavita Fischer, MD
The Business Model Requires Addicted Gamblers
70–90% of industry profits come from problem gamblers. States that have partnered with gambling operators are essentially acting as the bookie, collecting tax revenue with little meaningful regulation protecting citizens. Additionally, this tax revenue may not be going toward the programs we expect it to.
The Highest Suicide Rate of Any Addiction
• 1 in 2 people with gambling disorder have thought about suicide
• 1 in 5 have attempted it
Per Dr. Fischer, a recent study found financial debt (not concurrent mental illness or substance use) is the single most powerful independent risk factor for suicide in this population.
The LIE/BET Screener: Two Questions That Open Doors
Only 8–10% of people with gambling disorder seek treatment on their own. Dr. Fischer advocates for universal screening using this validated two-question tool:
1. Have you ever had to lie to people important to you about how much you gambled?
2. Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?
Treatment Options Are Limited but Exist
There is no FDA-approved medication for gambling disorder. The gold standard is CBT + Motivational Interviewing, delivered by ICGC-certified counselors. Support groups (Gamblers Anonymous, Gam-Anon for families) and state gambling board referral lists are the most accessible entry points.
Children Are Especially Vulnerable
About 50% of adolescents have gambled in some form, mostly online. In-game mechanics like loot boxes, lucky wheels, and virtual currencies introduce gambling behavior through gaming. Dr. Fischer recommends parental controls, open conversations, and legislative pressure to enforce age restrictions.
Resources & Links
Crisis & Helplines
• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-MY-RESET (new number — crisis screening and local referrals)
• Gamblers Anonymous Hotline: 855-222-5542
Support Groups
• Gamblers Anonymous — in-person, virtual, and telephone meetings
• Gam-Anon — for family members and loved ones
Advocacy
• Stop Predatory Gambling — nonprofit exposing industry harms and pushing for policy reform
Treatment & Screening
• International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization (IPGGC) find certified CBT/MI counselors.
• LIE/BET Screener — two-question tool, appropriate for any clinical intake
Gambling-Blocking Apps
• Gamban — blocks tens of thousands of gambling sites across all devices
• BetBlocker — free, available on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux
Dr. Fischer’s Writing
• “The Real Madness of March” — psychiatric journal article on why all clinicians should screen for gambling disorder
• The House Always Wins: Learning to Overcome Problem Gambling
• Dr. Fischer’s Substack: The Doctor and The House
Listen to Dr. Fischer on the Wall Street Journal Podcast: How a Psychiatrist Lost $400,000 on Gambling Apps
About Dr. Kavita Fischer, MD
Dr. Kavita Fischer is a double board-certified psychiatrist in general and child & adolescent psychiatry, president of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society, and clinical assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Psychiatry. She works as an emergency room psychiatrist and is a national speaker advocating against the harms of commercialized gambling, drawing on her own lived experience with gambling disorder and recovery.
A Mind of Her Own
Hosted by Dr. Jennifer Reid, MD
Board-certified psychiatrist, author of Guilt Free: Reclaiming Your Life From Unreasonable Expectations, and award-winning medical educator
jenniferreidmd.com | A Mind of Her Own on Substack
@jenreidmd on Instagram and LinkedIn
Also check out Dr. Reid’s regular contributions to Psychology Today: Think Like a Shrink
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