Gambling is the staking of something of value on an activity that involves a significant element of chance in the hope of realizing a profit. It has existed in virtually every society since prerecorded history and is incorporated into local customs and rites of passage. Most adults and many adolescents engage in some form of gambling. The vast majority of gamblers do so without problem, but for a small number of individuals gambling becomes an addictive behavior causing substantial distress and impairment. Pathological gambling is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) as a psychiatric disorder.
Gambling is a social activity and can be fun for most people. However, it can also cause harm if not used within certain parameters. Harm may be experienced from gambling in different ways: physical, psychological, family, financial and community. Harmful gambling is often a hidden addiction and is difficult to recognize because it is not as visible as alcohol or drug abuse. Moreover, cultural influences may make it hard to seek help because some communities view gambling as an acceptable pastime, making it difficult to recognize that the activity has gone wrong.
A person who has a gambling disorder experiences an intense urge to gamble and cannot control their impulses to gamble, despite the negative effects on their lives. They have difficulty separating their emotional and financial lives from gambling, and they lie to conceal their involvement with gambling. They are preoccupied with gambling and ruminate over past experiences, handicapping or planning their next venture, and finding ways to get money to gamble. They also feel distressed when they lose, and they may return to gambling in an attempt to recover their losses (“chasing”).
The origins of the disorder are largely unknown. Some have speculated that the emergence of modern capitalism and its emphasis on the bottom line of profits is a contributing factor. Others point to the Depression of the 1930s and economic turmoil of the 1970s as catalysts. The Civil Rights Act and the women’s liberation movement also may have contributed to an increase in the prevalence of gambling in the United States.
Research has shown that some people are genetically predisposed to thrill-seeking behaviors and impulsivity. Furthermore, studies of brain function reveal differences in the processing of reward information and in the ability to control impulses. These factors may explain why some people are more likely to develop a gambling problem.
The first step to getting help for someone with a gambling problem is to establish a clear definition of what constitutes harmful gambling. From there, it is important to understand the risk factors that can lead to a gambling disorder. These include frequency of gambling exposure, social and familial influence, biological and psychological factors, and availability of gambling resources. The next step is to create prevention and treatment programs based on the evidence of the disorder. This is a complex endeavor that requires collaboration and partnership between the scientific community, government agencies, and private organizations.