Gambling involves risking money or something of value on an event that is determined by chance. It can be as simple as betting on a team to win a game or buying a scratch card. It is estimated that one problem gambler affects at least seven other people, including family members and friends. Gambling can cause damage to relationships, jobs and studies and may even lead to serious debt and homelessness. It is important to understand the risks of gambling and how to reduce them.
People who have problems with gambling can be rich or poor, young or old, of any race or religion and from small towns or big cities. The cause of the problem can be as simple as a person loving the dream of winning, or it could be that they need to escape from everyday worries or problems. It is also possible that they have genetic or biological predispositions to become addicted. It is important to seek help for a gambling problem as soon as it is noticed.
Many people who have a gambling problem try to hide their addiction or tell their families and friends about it. This is partly because of the social pressures to be able to spend time with friends, but it also because people who have problems with gambling often feel ashamed or guilty about their behaviour. It is also hard to recognise when gambling is causing harm because people are not always aware of the impact it can have on themselves or others.
The behavioural characteristics that can contribute to an addiction to gambling include compulsive behaviour, pathological thinking and impulse control issues. A person can develop these symptoms as a result of a change in the way the brain sends chemical messages, but it is also possible that the individual has a family history of gambling or is predisposed to it because of their genetic or biological make-up.
In 2013, pathological gambling was included in the Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders section of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, meaning that it is now recognised as an addictive behaviour – just like substance addiction. Other factors that can lead to a gambling problem are stress, depression or other mental health problems, financial difficulties, boredom, and the belief that gambling is a quick way to make money.
Another factor is a tendency to overestimate the probability that something will happen, whether it’s throwing a certain way or wearing a lucky shirt. This is a psychological phenomenon known as the gambler’s fallacy, and it means that a person will think that their chances of winning are higher than they actually are.
Gambling can be an enjoyable and harmless pastime for most people, but for some it can become a serious addiction that damages their physical and emotional health, their relationships, performance at work or study and sometimes even their lives. It can leave them with serious debts and in some cases can even lead to suicide. It is important to be aware of the risks and how to reduce them, but also to know that it is never too late to seek help.