Gambling is betting something of value, including money or personal possessions, on an event with an uncertain outcome that depends at least in part on chance. It is a common pastime for many people, but for some it can be harmful, even dangerous. Problem gambling can negatively affect health, family relationships, work or school performance and leave people in serious debt. It can also make it harder to cope with mood disorders like depression and anxiety, which often precede or make gambling problems worse.
In the United States, gambling has expanded far beyond the casinos concentrated in Las Vegas and Atlantic City to include online and mobile betting, sports bets and video games with gambling elements that are played by teenagers and children who are well below the legal age for gambling. In addition, gambling has become widely available on cruise ships that sail outside state jurisdictions and in casinos on Native American land where the activity is legal.
It’s important to remember that gambling is a risky activity and that the odds of winning are very low. If you’re a gambler, be sure to set limits and stick to them. Also, don’t use credit cards or other forms of easy access to cash when gambling. It’s also a good idea to seek help if you think that you or someone you love has a problem with gambling.
While most people enjoy gambling as a way to relax, for some the activity can be very addictive and lead to significant problems in their life. This section looks at what causes gambling addiction, how it’s treated and what to do if you or someone you know has a gambling problem.
People who have a gambling problem often have mixed motives when they start to play. They may start to enjoy the game for its own sake, or they might start to have more problematic reasons for playing – such as wanting to get rich quickly or avoiding difficult financial decisions. In the case of pathological gamblers, these darker motives overshadow all other motivations.
In order to be classified as a gambling disorder, a person must meet at least three of the 10 criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition). These are: (1) a preoccupation with gambling; (2) a continuing attempt to reduce or control a loss; (3) lying to family members or therapists about gambling behavior; (4) committing illegal acts (forgery, fraud, embezzlement, etc.) to fund gambling, or relying on others to finance gambling; and (5) substance use. Research on gambling disorder has also found that it is closely related to impulsivity. In addition, there is a strong link between sensation- and novelty-seeking and gambling behavior. These factors are thought to interact with the underlying impulsivity to produce gambling behaviors. However, further research is needed to better understand how these different dimensions of impulsivity interact with each other to produce a particular gambling behavior.