As people are trying their luck in the lotteries over the Lunar New Year holiday, a psychologist yesterday recommended setting a budget in advance to avoid developing a gambling addiction.
Buying scratch cards and lottery tickets is a favorite holiday activity, but sometimes players can get carried away.
An addiction is defined as repetitive and compulsive behavior, psychiatrist Yang Tsung-tsair (楊聰財) said.
Photo: Chiu Chih-jou, Taipei Times
A person might be addicted to gambling if it disrupts their life to the point that they are unable to focus on other things or if they continue to gamble, even if it might bankrupt them, he said.
A sharp increase in the purchase of lottery tickets — for instance from one every week to 10 — paired with feelings of anxiety when not buying tickets could also be signs of addiction, he said.
Most people are able to exercise restraint, but some experience exhilaration bordering on euphoria when gambling, making them want to bet again, Yang said.
A little gambling does not necessarily lead to addiction, but indulging too much or too often could increase the risk, he said.
Stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness and feelings of frustration could make people more susceptible to seeking solace in gambling, while others also feel pressured by friends or social circles, he added.
Setting budgets, and seeking other entertainment and psychological support are all ways to avoid the risks associated with gambling, Yang said.
Setting a stop-loss to quit betting within an affordable amount enables a gambler to have fun while insulating themselves from the threat of addiction, he said.
Yang also recommended pursuing other leisure activities such as travel or watching movies to direct one’s focus away from gambling, as well as seeking support from friends, family or a psychologist.
In related news, Taiwan Lottery data show that Taichung had the most scratch-off jackpot winners last year.
A total of 1,092 scratch-off tickets worth NT$1 million (US$31,890) or more were issued before the Lunar New Year last year, 1,087 of which were purchased.
Taichung had the most winners at 164, followed by New Taipei City with 157 and Kaohsiung with 138.
This year, the number of jackpot-winning tickets issued for the holiday reached a record 1,351, Taiwan Lottery said.
Of them, the “20 million Super Red Envelope” (2,000萬超級紅包) costing NT$2,000 per ticket has eight grand prizes of NT$20 million, 10 second-place prizes of NT$2 million plus a chance to win a 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA180 sports utility vehicle, and 1,000 third-place prizes of NT$1 million.
As of Sunday, two grand prizes, four second prizes and 150 third prizes had been claimed.
Additional reporting by Cheng Chi-fang
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
The Sports Administration yesterday demanded an apology from the national table tennis association for barring 17-year-old Yeh Yi-tian (葉伊恬) from competing in the upcoming World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash tournament in Las Vegas this July. The sports agency said in a statement that the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association (CTTTA) must explain to the public why it withdrew Yeh from the WTT tournament in Las Vegas. The sports agency said it contacted the association to express its disapproval of the decision-making process after receiving a complaint from Yeh’s coach, Chuang
Control Yuan Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) tendered his resignation last night, admitting that he had misused a government vehicle, as reported by media. His resignation was immediately accepted by the Control Yuan. In a statement explaining why he had resigned, Lee apologized for using a Control Yuan vehicle to transport his dog to a pet grooming salon on May 20. The issue first came to light late last month, when TVBS News reported that Lee had instructed his driver to take the dog to the salon. The news channel broadcast photos that it said were taken by an unnamed whistle-blower, which purportedly showed the
A former officer in China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) who witnessed the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre has warned that Taiwan could face a similar fate if China attempts to unify the country by force. Li Xiaoming (李曉明), who was deployed to Beijing as a junior officer during the crackdown, said Taiwanese people should study the massacre carefully, because it offers a glimpse of what Beijing is willing to do to suppress dissent. “What happened in Tiananmen Square could happen in Taiwan too,” Li told CNA in a May 22 interview, ahead of the massacre’s 36th anniversary. “If Taiwanese students or
RSS