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Nearly six million adults and about a half-million teens are affected by a hidden addiction. In fact, one of the biggest steps in fighting a gambling-related problem is first recognizing that the problem exists.

On the heels of COVID-19, we’re all spending more time at home. In some households, that means spending more time with family and baking banana bread - but it also means a likely increase in screen time and online gaming. While online gaming can be an entertaining recreational activity, when does it start to become problematic? We’ve asked the experts about the five things you’ll need to know.

For many, gambling is a fun form of recreation and entertainment. In many cultures, traditional forms of gambling preceded the gambling we know today. From stick games, or bone games, that have specific cultural meanings and purposes in Native American cultures to Mahjong and card games in Asian communities, gambling has been a part of our lives. In fact, it’s more than just fun and games - it serves as a way to bring these communities together. Many cultural factors influence gambling, notions of luck, and social aspects in different cultures. “It’s very much ingrained in our culture,” certified problem gambling counselor Sarah Sense-Wilson tells New Day Northwest of Native American gambling culture. “When you look at the modern-day, we have casinos and different gaming venues where our communities gather for a variety of purposes, and generally it’s a hub for our communities, from funeral services, elections, elder gatherings, and conferences.” It’s not much different in Asian communities as well. “In our community, we tend to be more superstitious,” Victor Loo of Asian Counseling and Referring Services tells New Day Northwest. “In general, when Asian immigrants come to this country, we don’t speak the same language. When you go to a casino, that becomes a universal language.” While cultural gatherings mesh well with gambling and gaming, it can quickly become a problem for some. In fact, Loo notes that in the Asian community, the prevalence of problem gambling can be as high as 60 percent.