Gambling is the wagering of money or something of value, usually material, on an event that has a random component and involves a chance of winning. It is a worldwide activity and the largest form of legal gambling is lottery wagering with around $10 trillion being wagered legally each year (illegal betting might be higher). Other forms include games such as poker, blackjack and roulette, bingo, instant scratch cards and other types of video or mobile gaming, and wagering on events such as horse races and football accumulators. People can also gamble by betting on the outcome of a business, insurance or stock market investment.
Some forms of gambling can be addictive. Problem gambling can cause serious financial problems for the person who has a problem and for those close to them. It can also have a negative impact on their social life and health, and can even lead to criminal behaviour.
While it is not known why some people develop a gambling problem, there are some risk factors. They can be genetic, biological or psychological and can start at any age. For example, children as young as seven can have a gambling addiction and can spend large amounts of time playing video or mobile games that ask for micro-transactions and payments. They can feel attracted to these because they can win virtual goods, which they then want to collect, and can also get a rush or ‘high’.
It is important to know the difference between gambling disorder and other mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety. People who have a gambling disorder have a high degree of impairment in their daily functioning due to their pathological gambling and often experience other symptoms such as trouble sleeping or suicidal ideation.
The understanding of the adverse consequences of excessive gambling has undergone a profound change over recent decades and is now more in line with the way we understand substance dependence and alcoholism. This has been reflected in, and stimulated by, the evolving clinical classification of pathological gambling in the various editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association.
It is possible to overcome a gambling addiction. There are many support groups and inpatient or residential treatment programs aimed at those with severe addictions. It is also important to set clear boundaries in managing money and credit, such as not keeping bank cards or allowing a gambling addict access to them, not allowing them to use the family home, and closing online betting accounts. It is also helpful to find other things to do that give a sense of purpose, and to have a strong support network in place. Family therapy and marriage, career or credit counseling can help work through the issues that have been created by a gambling addiction and lay the foundations for recovery.