Gambling involves risking something of value, usually money, on an event that has an uncertain outcome and can be influenced by chance. It is a widespread activity that takes many forms, including pari-mutuel betting (horse and dog tracks, off-track betting parlors, jai alai), lotteries, casinos (table games, slot machines), sports gambling, horse racing, game shows, and bingo. It can also involve wagering on the outcomes of other events, such as political elections or celebrity gossip (Morey & Blaszczyk, 2001). Gambling can also take place with materials that have a value but are not money, such as marbles, beads or collectible card games such as Magic: The Gathering and Pogs. The term “gambling disorder” is used to describe people who have problems with gambling that cause significant distress and interfere with daily functioning. Problems may include family discord, work-related difficulties, and loss of income and/or assets. They can also lead to a lack of motivation for other activities, such as personal and professional development.
It is difficult to establish a consensus on the definition of “problem gambling.” The nomenclature needs to reflect the fact that research scientists, psychiatrists and other treatment care clinicians, and public policy makers frame questions about gambling differently, depending on their disciplinary training, experiences, and world views. In addition, a broad range of theories is available to explain gambling behavior, such as sensation- and novelty-seeking, arousal, and negative emotionality.
In the past, it was commonly believed that gamblers were irrational and had poor judgment. However, the understanding of gambling problems has undergone dramatic change in recent decades. The new view is analogous to the changing understanding of alcoholism, which led to changes in clinical diagnosis and description in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association.
A major shift in understanding of gambling disorders is that the problems associated with gambling are largely psychological in nature. The term “pathological gambling” is widely used to describe these psychiatric problems, but there are many individuals who experience significant adverse consequences from gambling and are not diagnosed with pathological gambling. These people are sometimes referred to as non-pathological gamblers or recovering pathological gamblers.
Some studies have linked gambling disorders with certain personality traits and underlying vulnerabilities, such as low impulse control. Others have found that a person’s genetics and life experiences may influence their propensity to engage in problem gambling.
Some people who have gambling disorders may be able to stop themselves from engaging in the activity by making behavioral changes, such as setting time limits for their gambling sessions. These changes will help them control their spending and prevent them from chasing losses. Other strategies may include seeking help from support groups or joining an inpatient gambling addiction recovery program. These programs are often located in residential treatment facilities and provide round-the-clock support to those struggling with the disorder. The goal is to learn how to manage the urges to gamble and to find alternative ways of coping with stress.
