Why Players Chase Gambling Losses and How to Stop

Chasing losses happens when players keep gambling despite losing or increasing bet size to attempt to recover lost funds.

Losing may affect the decisions a player makes due to the associated emotions of anger, panic, and determination to undo the loss. This article focuses on why players chase losses and includes practical ways to avoid it.

Why Losing Can Make Players Want to Keep Gambling

A loss in gambling creates the urge to keep gambling rather than to stop. It is driven by the desire to win back what has already been lost and the hope that a player can get back to the starting balance if they win the next bet.

Increasing bets or gambling for longer periods does not guarantee the recovery of previous losses. Casino games are designed to keep players engaged, and some offer side bets with increased odds. These may appeal to a player looking to win back lost funds, but there is no guarantee.

How Emotions Affect Gambling Decisions

Emotions associated with winning or losses affect the decisions players make. Frustration and disappointment after a loss can create the need to remedy the situation by placing another bet. Excitement after a win results in a dopamine rush and a need to place another bet, hoping for another win. Stress associated with long hours of gambling can lead to a player making wrong decisions, like going above the limits they have set.

A mix of these positive and negative emotions may cause a player to abandon the strategy and limits they set at the start of a gambling session.

The Gambler’s Fallacy and Previous Results

The Gambler's Fallacy is a false belief in gambling circles that a losing streak is followed by a win. There are no facts to back up this fallacy, which can be linked to the same emotions that cause players to chase losses. The results of each bet on a casino game are independent of other bets, and a run of losses does not affect the next outcome.

Roulette wheels in single zero and double zero roulette are great examples of how outcomes are independent. The extra pocket changes the odds of an outcome. The odds are the same for each spin and do not change when a player loses on a number of spins.

Set Limits Before You Start Playing

Chasing losses can be avoided by gambling responsibly, as shown in this bullet list:

• A gambling budget should be set before playing and should not be exceeded on a losing or winning streak.
• The decision of how long a player wishes to play should be made beforehand.
• Regular breaks are necessary in a gambling session.
• A stop loss should be set, and gambling stopped immediately when it is reached.
• The set budget should not be increased to try to recover losses.
• Gambling should be avoided when angry, frustrated from losses, or when it is noted that a player is trying to recover money.

Limits can be set before starting a gambling session. It is easier to stick to limits if they are set before placing the first bet rather than when losses have occurred.

Gambling Should Be Entertainment Not a Way to Recover Money

Gambling is not a way of earning money, as outcomes cannot be guaranteed. It should be treated as a form of paid entertainment in which money can be lost. Chasing losses does not guarantee winning lost money in gambling. Neither does changing strategy or switching to a different game. Money lost in gambling can be considered as money spent on entertainment, rather than a loss that needs to be recovered.

Researching a Casino Before You Play

Responsible gambling can be done by doing research before depositing money into a casino. The variety of customer support options and a good reputation are some of the things to check for. An analysis like the Blackjack Ballroom review covering game variety, supported banking methods, and responsible gambling features outlines the important things to consider.

Know When It Is Time to Stop

Knowing when to stop gambling is just as important as having fun. Players can use the responsible gambling controls offered by casinos to control how much they deposit or lose. Self-limit and exclusion tools can help players to step away when gambling is no longer fun, and players can avoid chasing losses by asking for help on the National Problem Gambling Helpline and other professional responsible gambling bodies.