Gambling involves risking something of value (like money or material goods) on an outcome that is determined at least in part by chance, with the hope of winning a prize. It includes activities like playing card games or dice, betting on sports events or horse races, buying lottery tickets or scratch-offs and placing bets with friends or coworkers on office pools. Some types of gambling are illegal and subject to strict state and federal regulation.
The reasons people gamble vary widely. Some people are drawn to the possibility of big payouts, while others seek the adrenaline rush that comes from high levels of uncertainty and risk. Still, other motivations include mood change, social rewards and intellectual challenge. Many of these motives are rooted in the brain’s reward system, which is activated by the sight and sound of money or the potential to win large sums.
Regardless of the reason for gambling, it can be difficult to know when a person’s behavior crosses the line from recreational to problematic. Unlike addictions to alcohol or drugs, there are often no visible signs or symptoms of gambling problems. This can make it harder to identify and address gambling-related harms, which can include financial stress, relationship breakdown, mental illness and even suicide.
Research suggests that about 2.5 million adults (about 1% of the population) have severe gambling disorders, and another 5-8 million (2-3%) have mild or moderate gambling problems. The understanding of the adverse consequences of gambling has undergone profound changes over time. For example, it was once thought that people who experienced negative outcomes from gambling were merely “bad gamblers” – now it is recognized that they may have psychological problems arising from their gambling behaviour.
Although it is important to recognize and treat harmful gambling, it is also essential to prevent its occurrence in the first place. Efforts to reduce gambling-related harm should include public health education and the development of tools for those who want to quit. This should include universal pre-commitment (requiring people to set binding limits on their time and money spent gambling) and self-exclusion.
People who are at greater risk of developing a gambling problem include those with poor impulse control, boredom susceptibility, the use of escape coping and stressful life experiences. The risk of developing a gambling disorder increases with age, and men are more likely to develop problems than women. It is important to recognize and act on this growing threat to health, which can have a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and their families.