Is Problem Gambling Genetic?: 1

There is a team of American researchers currently doing a study on whether or not genetics affect a person’s likelihood of developing a gambling problem. Cases like this have proved that here is a genetic link for alcoholism; would there also be a genetic link to problem gambling? According to their research they have found that there are definitely links between ones DNA and their tendencies on acting on risky behavior. This seems to be a basic ‘nature vs. nurture’ question. How much could genetics really affect how often someone plays at an online casino? Research say that nature does have a lot to do with effecting how likely a person is to becoming addicted to online casinos or any type of gambling for that matter.

The Northwestern study showed that the team or scientists researching the topic were getting closer and closer to finding out exactly which genetic mechanism makes a person act that way. This goes beyond a person’s social and economic status and whether or not they play at an online casino or not. The mechanism they found may be able to calculate how much risk-taking a person is likely to take part in. The researchers have taken into account that the nurture aspect may have a lot to do with a person’s disposition to internet gambling or gambling addiction in general. Risk taking is a natural part of the business world and most definitely is natural in the world of online casinos. Now this is something that the researchers studied in their subjects as stock market brokers are more likely to be high riskers.