Teenagers and Gambling
Gambling is usually the act of betting something of value on a game with an unknown outcome with the intention of winning something else in return. Gambling therefore requires three ingredients to be present: risk, consideration, and a payoff. The entire process of gambling can be broken down into these three components.
In case of pathological gambling, most or all of these components are missing. The absence of these components signifies that there is a lot more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye – it’s possible that the person isn’t really placing their bets but rather getting others to do so for them. This is why a lot of legitimate casinos and lotteries have very little to do with pathological gambling at all.
The first component is risk. Without taking any risks, it’s impossible for people to gamble. Gambling at a casino or at a site where your money could be at stake would be like driving a car without insurance for your passengers. In the same way, without taking any risks, it’s impossible for people to form any kind of investment or back their money with anything but their own sweat and labor. It’s because of this that gambling may come with high levels of addiction.
The second component that drives people to gambling is the third component, the prize itself. Prizes in gambling come in many forms and can go from a jackpot at a casino or slot machines to free entry into a sweepstakes program or a giveaway product that’s offered by the casino itself. People who place a lot of stake and bet large amounts of money on a daily basis may develop an obsession for winning large sums of money. Unfortunately, because of this fix, they’re forced to place even more money into the bet, sometimes infusing their gambling habit with cash. While this isn’t necessarily considered pathological gambling, it is still gambling and should be dealt with accordingly.
Finally, one of the most common reasons that adolescents become drawn to internet gambling is the thrill of uncertainty. There’s nothing more exciting than the thought of placing a single bet that could change everything in a single day. In the case of internet gambling, this can translate to online lottery tickets, blackjack games, bingo, roulette, and even poker. Because these games involve large sums of money, teenagers are often able to get away with less regulation and less on the edge than older gamblers. In many cases, these adolescents won’t even require a license or registration in order to gamble online. Because it’s easy for them to gamble on a whim, and not have to make plans for the night, they feel no pressure to follow the rules.
However, even with all of this said, gambling remains a legal act in many locations and people do indulge in the act despite its negative connotations. If you’re someone who’s thinking about playing slot machines or betting on the lottery, talk to your parents and ask them what they think before you start. Gambling can be a beneficial experience if it’s used properly but it can also be a dangerous thing if people don’t think ahead and plan accordingly. If you’re looking to learn more about gambling and how to get started, contact a local licensed gambling dealer today.