Gambling is an activity where people risk something of value (usually money) on an event with an element of chance in the hope of winning a larger prize. There are many different types of gambling, including lotteries, sports betting, casinos, video poker, slot machines, instant scratch cards, and races. Some are organised by commercial establishments, while others occur in a social setting, such as games of marbles or trading card games like Magic: The Gathering.
Although gambling is often portrayed as an activity that leads to excitement, fantasy, riches and moments of grandeur, it also has the potential to cause harm to individuals, families, and society. Harms include financial losses, family and relationship issues, debt, unemployment, substance misuse and even suicide. It can also interfere with work, school, and other daily activities. The global prevalence of problem gambling is high, with approximately 5.5% of men and 11.9% of women globally suffering from a gambling disorder (1).
It is possible to mitigate the harmful impacts of gambling by identifying and understanding the risks associated with it, including frequency of exposure, cultural influence, social and biological impact, and available resources. Educating the public about gambling helps reduce harms by promoting responsible use and encouraging people to seek help if they are having problems.
Gambling is a complex psychological activity, and the exact effects are hard to quantify. However, there are certain commonalities amongst the various forms of gambling. Firstly, all gambling involves a decision to place a wager on an event with an element of chance. It is this decision that makes the gambler lose or win.
The second commonality is that the odds of winning are always against you – in other words, someone has to lose for you to win. Those odds are either predetermined (as in the case of fixed-odds betting, like on a football match or a scratchcard), or they can be volatile (as with probabilistic games, such as dice or roulette).
Another commonality is that there is usually an element of skill involved in gambling, and this contributes to the sense of satisfaction and achievement. This sensation is enhanced by the short period of time between making a bet and learning its outcome. During this split-second, the brain is frantically replaying its previous decisions.
The last feature of gambling is that it is widely advertised and easy to access, even for those without a computer or TV. Whether online through websites or mobile apps, it is easy to bet on a variety of events and games with a few clicks of the button. This easy availability has made gambling more popular than ever before, but it is important to remember that this does not mean it is harmless. It is possible to mitigate the risk of gambling by seeking help for a gambling addiction and avoiding marketing materials and VIP schemes, which can encourage more spending. It is also important to recognise the signs of a problem and get support from friends, family or a specialist treatment service.