Gambling involves wagering something of value (like money) on a random event with the intent of winning more than is lost. It is not just about playing games like poker or blackjack, but also includes lottery tickets, scratch-offs, video poker, roulette, and slots, in casinos, at the racetrack, or online. Whether the gambler is playing for fun or is trying to make a living, gambling has the potential to lead to serious problems and can have lasting ramifications on all areas of a person’s life.
In some cases, the risk-taking behavior of gambling can be a symptom of underlying mental health issues or an addictive disorder. Consequently, there is increasing support for evaluation of gambling behaviors in primary care settings.
Adolescents may experiment with gambling. Their experiences can range from no gambling to occasional social gambling, and even problem gambling. Adolescents can be attracted to gambling for many reasons, including:
For some people, a habit of gambling is not harmful; however, it does interfere with other important parts of their lives. Problem gambling can cause financial ruin, strain relationships, and create stress. It can even lead to suicide. Unlike other addictions, problem gambling is often not recognized by the person involved and may be kept secret from others.
A growing body of evidence supports the view that pathological gambling is an addictive disorder. While the occurrence of pathological gambling is much lower than the incidence of other addictive disorders, it is still a significant public health concern and has implications for individual well-being.
There are several key elements that characterize an addictive gambler, and they are:
1. Defining Gambling
Often, people don’t know what they are doing is gambling. They think they are just having fun and enjoying the thrill of the game, or they are making a good investment, or that they are improving their lives. In reality, they are taking more and more risks with the hope of winning. Eventually the losses begin to outweigh the wins, and it is no longer fun.
2. Gambling Appeals to Covetousness and Greed
In addition to the thrill of the game, gambling appeals to a basic human desire for status and a sense of belonging. Casinos are designed to foster this feeling by promoting loyalty programs and other special privileges. Problem gamblers can also be prone to “elevated confidence” and overestimating their perceived chances of winning.
3. Gambling Destroys Self-Control
People with a gambling problem often have trouble admitting that they have a problem, and are reluctant to seek help. Getting professional help is the first step to recovering from gambling. It is best to set boundaries in managing money, have someone else be in charge of the finances, close online betting accounts, let someone else handle credit card payments, and only keep a small amount of cash on hand. This will give the person a chance to regain control of their lives and focus on more productive things. It is also important to find healthy ways to relieve unpleasant feelings, such as exercise or therapy.