Gambling involves risking something of value on an event whose outcome is determined by chance. It can be as simple as scratchcards or as complex as placing a bet on the outcome of a football game. Some people gamble responsibly and enjoy the excitement of winning a prize. Others become addicted to gambling, and it can ruin their lives.
There are many reasons why people start to gamble. It can be a reaction to stress, boredom, depression or grief. It can also be an attempt to escape from reality. Some people have a natural predisposition to gamble because of their brain structure or personality. Research has shown that some people may have an underactive reward system, which makes them more likely to seek thrills and make impulsive decisions. Genetics can also play a role, with some families having a history of addiction.
People are often encouraged to gamble by the media, which portrays it as glamorous, exciting and fashionable. Some people are especially vulnerable to gambling, such as those on low incomes, who have more to lose than they gain from a win, and young people, who have a higher propensity to develop an addiction. Some people may be unable to recognise their gambling as an unhealthy activity, because it is a normal part of their culture. This can make it hard for them to seek help.
The costs and benefits of gambling can be viewed at the personal, interpersonal and society/community levels (Fig. 1). The personal and interpersonal impacts are mostly non-monetary, including invisible individual costs, social cost/benefits and the effects of problem gambling. The societal/community level external impacts are largely monetary, and include general economic costs, costs related to problem gambling and long-term cost/benefits.
Whether it is a visit to a casino, watching the odds for a football match or placing bets online, gambling is everywhere. It is marketed to people by the betting industry through television adverts, social media and wall-to-wall sponsorship of clubs. It is not only the big names that are getting involved, even small town high streets are now home to a wide range of betting shops.
For some people, gambling is a way to socialise with friends, and it can be a fun and entertaining past time. However, for others it becomes a serious problem, and they can lose their homes, jobs and health and suffer from family conflict, financial hardship and poor mental health. Trying to solve the problem of gambling can be difficult, but there is help available, including cognitive-behaviour therapy, which teaches people how to challenge their irrational beliefs that a string of losses or a near miss on a slot machine indicates an imminent win. In addition, counselling can teach people to manage their emotions and find healthy ways to deal with stress. Lastly, abstaining from gambling can reduce the temptation to gamble. It is important to remember, however, that relapse rates are high.