Gambling involves risking something of value on an activity that is primarily a matter of chance in the hope of gaining a return. It is a common human activity and has been part of most societies since prerecorded history. It has been associated with crime, political corruption, and positive and negative economic and social impacts. In recent times it has been linked to psychological distress and mental illness.
The act of gambling evokes a gamut of human emotions and behaviors that can be harmful, particularly in the case of pathological gambling. Pathological gamblers may display poor judgment, impaired reasoning skills and cognitive distortions. They also experience a range of emotional responses to losing and winning, including resentment, denial, guilt and shame. The presence of these symptoms can result in a variety of problems, such as financial ruin, marital discord, drug or alcohol addiction and even suicide.
In many cases, a person’s ability to control their gambling activity is affected by their family and social environment. For example, the stigma of gambling addiction can make it difficult for friends or relatives to recognize that their loved one has a problem. A person’s beliefs and values can also affect their ability to recognize a gambling problem. Culture can play a role in this as some communities see gambling as a part of their heritage, which can lead to a lack of understanding about the nature of gambling addiction.
A person’s behaviour can be influenced by biological factors, such as an underactive brain reward system or genetic predisposition to thrill-seeking and impulsivity. Various studies have shown that people with these traits are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviour and be susceptible to gambling addiction.
Biological factors can also interact with social and cultural factors to increase the likelihood of gambling-related harms. For example, gambling can activate the brain’s reward system, resulting in the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes us feel good. This is why some people find it difficult to stop, despite trying to resolve the issue.
It is essential that people who are concerned about their gambling have access to effective interventions and support services. This includes universal pre-commitment and self-exclusion systems, which can help individuals to set binding limits on time and money spent gambling. These should be used in conjunction with clear messages about the harms of gambling and efforts to reduce normalization (e.g., sponsorship of gambling products and their colocation in social environments). These strategies are most effective when they are backed by strong regulation. In addition, reducing financial risks – for example, by limiting the use of credit cards and not carrying large amounts of money in wallets or pockets – can also improve a person’s ability to regulate their gambling. These measures can be combined with a commitment to seek help when a gambling problem arises. This could be through a family doctor, treatment provider or a psychologist. Finally, reducing social stressors and finding alternative ways to socialise can help prevent relapse after stopping or reducing gambling.