Gambling involves risking something of value on an event with some element of randomness and chance, such as playing a game of chance, betting on a horse or dog race, lottery or bingo or speculating on business, insurance or the stock market. Depending on the rules of the game or event, gambling can also involve some strategy. People who gamble for money can win or lose and the amount of money involved in a wager can be very high.
In addition to the social and psychological harms caused by problem gambling, it has a significant impact on family and friends of those who suffer from the disorder, as well as the community as a whole. It has been estimated that more than half of the UK population engage in some form of gambling activity, with some individuals having serious problems that can have a major impact on their personal and professional lives. Problems arising from gambling can affect health and wellbeing, relationships, work or study performance, finances and even lead to homelessness. People with an undiagnosed gambling disorder are at increased risk of suicide and have been known to attempt it.
The reasons people start to gamble can vary; for some it may be out of curiosity or fun, for others it can be an escape from the everyday stresses and worries of life. People who are socially isolated or have low self-esteem, depression, anxiety or grief can also turn to gambling as a way of socialising with friends. The media portrays gambling as fun, sexy, glamorous and fashionable, contributing to its appeal to many.
For some people, gambling can become addictive because it changes the brain’s reward pathways. The dopamine that is released when you win money stimulates the desire to gamble more, which can then escalate into problematic behaviour. This can have a negative impact on the rest of your life, as you try to find other ways to experience this feeling of pleasure.
When people develop a problem with gambling, they can experience a range of symptoms that can include emotional or behavioural changes, such as denial or hiding their addiction. They may attempt to conceal their gambling habits from family and friends or become dishonest about the money they are spending on it. They can also experience financial difficulties and become preoccupied with gambling, resulting in them neglecting other aspects of their lives.
There is no single nomenclature for defining gambling disorders, and different researchers, psychiatrists and other treatment providers use different paradigms or world views to frame their consideration of these issues. This has led to considerable debate and disagreement about the causes of gambling problems, which are variously attributed to recreational interest, diminished mathematical skills, poor judgment, cognitive distortions or mental illness. The impact of gambling on society can also be viewed from an economic cost-benefit perspective, which seeks to assign monetary values to intangible harms and benefits. This approach has been criticised for failing to take into account the impact of non-monetary harms and benefits, which are difficult to quantify.