Gambling is an activity where people wager money or other items of value on events that are unpredictable. Examples of gambling include betting on football games, horse races, or other events that involve a random outcome (such as buying a scratchcard). It also includes activities that involve a degree of skill and can lead to winning or losing money, such as playing cards, video games, and some sports. People who gamble often do it for fun, and some people make a living from gambling. But for many, it can become a serious problem. Problem gambling is associated with a wide range of consequences, including increased anxiety, depression, and substance use. It also increases the risk of suicide. It is estimated that around 5.5% of women and 11.9% of men globally experience harm related to gambling. Those with gambling disorders are more likely to have other psychiatric or medical problems, and up to 7% of those in psychiatric inpatient units have a gambling disorder.
A large body of research shows that a person’s preference for gambling is related to their level of impulse control. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that gambling involves a combination of sensation- and novelty-seeking, impulsivity, and negative emotionality. The evidence also suggests that a person’s ability to inhibit gambling behavior is related to their level of impulsiveness and their motivation to avoid losses.
Several different theories and models are used to explain why people gamble. Traditionally, the focus has been on the concept of reward deficiency syndrome, where individuals have difficulty controlling their impulses and emotions, leading to a cycle of gambling and self-destructive behaviors. Other explanations include a desire to escape from everyday life, and the fact that some people are more genetically predisposed to addiction than others.
In recent years, however, understanding of pathological gambling has undergone a dramatic change. It is now widely accepted that it is a mental health disorder, and the latest editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classify it as such.
One of the main reasons for this change is the recognition that gambling can be very addictive, and that some people suffer from a mental illness that prevents them from being able to control their gambling habits. It is now known that the condition can be treated.
As a counsellor working in problem gambling, I’m often asked how someone can get so out of control with their gambling, and why they keep doing it despite the harm. The answer lies in the brain’s learning mechanism, and the way that it hijacks this system to encourage a person to continue gambling. The process is complex, and it takes a long time to break the pattern of impulsive behaviour. But it is possible, and some of the most effective tools for stopping gambling include universal pre-commitment systems that require people to set binding limits on their time and spending, and self-exclusion from casinos and online betting providers.