addicted to gambling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'addicted to gambling' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone who is obsessed with or dependent upon gambling. For example, "He was so deeply addicted to gambling that it began to affect his work and relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

All addictions bring terrible side effects: those addicted to gambling lose their life savings, and those addicted to cocaine lose their septum.

The Guardian - Film

They're addicted to gambling.

The New York Times

My mum, uncle and grandfather were all addicted to gambling.

The Guardian

Matthau was a great sports fan, but, beyond that, he was addicted to gambling on sports.

The New York Times - Sports

Here, three ex-students describe how they became addicted to gambling at university and what can be done to prevent more young people falling into the trap.

The Guardian

Martin Scorsese will return to New York for a remake of Karel Reisz's The Gambler, the 1974 drama starring James Caan as an English professor addicted to gambling.

The Guardian - Film

And GamCare, an industry funded body that provides support to problem gamblers, told a parliamentary select committee last year that 2% of 12 to 15-year-olds are addicted to gambling.

The Guardian - Money

The Casino Control Commission last week unanimously revoked the "key employee" license of Gary DiBartolomeo, who, as the former president of Caesar's Atlantic City casino, is the highest-ranking casino executive in New Jersey to admit he is addicted to gambling.

The New York Times

Sarah Grant from Cardiff spent years addicted to gambling.

BBC

McCain also is/was addicted to gambling.

Huffington Post

She wins and almost immediately becomes addicted to gambling.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "addicted to gambling", consider specifying the type of gambling (e.g., sports betting, casino games, online slots) to provide more context and clarity.

Common error

Refrain from using the phrase casually or humorously. Gambling addiction is a serious issue and should be addressed with sensitivity and respect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "addicted to gambling" functions as a descriptive phrase, characterizing a state of compulsive behavior. It is typically used as an adjective complement following a linking verb (e.g., 'is', 'becomes') to describe someone's condition, such as in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "addicted to gambling" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a compulsive gambling habit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the severity of someone's struggle with gambling, characterized by a loss of control and potential harm. While widely used in news and media, it's crucial to approach the topic with sensitivity, avoiding casual or trivializing language. Alternative phrases like "gambling addict" or "compulsive gambler" offer different nuances, allowing for precise communication depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gambling addict

Noun form emphasizes the person rather than the state of addiction.

compulsive gambler

Highlights the compulsive nature of the gambling habit.

problem gambler

Focuses on the problematic aspects and consequences of gambling.

has a gambling problem

More general term indicating difficulties related to gambling.

dependent on gambling

Emphasizes reliance and need for gambling.

hooked on gambling

Informal way to say someone is very addicted to gambling.

gripped by gambling

Emphasizes the overpowering nature of the addiction.

obsessed with gambling

Highlights the all-consuming thoughts about gambling.

can't stop gambling

Focuses on the inability to cease the gambling behavior.

struggles with gambling addiction

Highlights the ongoing battle against gambling addiction.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "addicted to gambling"?

Being "addicted to gambling" means having a compulsive urge to gamble, despite negative consequences. It's a behavioral addiction where someone can't control their gambling habits.

What are some signs that someone is "addicted to gambling"?

Signs include gambling with increasing amounts of money, being restless or irritable when trying to cut down, lying to conceal gambling activities, and relying on others to bail them out of financial trouble due to gambling.

What can I say instead of "addicted to gambling"?

You can use alternatives like "gambling addict", "compulsive gambler", or "problem gambler", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "addicted to gambling" and "having a gambling problem"?

"Having a gambling problem" is a broader term that can include various levels of difficulty with gambling, while "addicted to gambling" typically implies a more severe, compulsive dependence.