by Gambling is an activity whereby people risk money or other things of value in an attempt to predict the outcome of a game of chance, such as in casinos, on television, on fruit machines, and by betting with friends. If they are correct, they win money; if not, they lose it. Although many people gamble responsibly, for some it is harmful and can harm relationships, work or study performance, health, self-esteem, and lead to debt and even homelessness. Problem gambling can also affect the lives of family, friends and neighbours, as well as local communities.
People gamble for a variety of reasons, including recreation and the desire to win money. They may also be attempting to escape from problems or boredom, and may have developed a habit of gambling as a way to cope with these. In these cases, the person may feel unable to control their gambling behaviour and need to increase the amount they stake in order to get back the money they have lost.
The most common form of gambling is betting with money or other items that have a monetary value, such as cards, coins, and tokens. This type of gambling is called private gambling. It is often carried out with friends or family in a home setting, and it usually involves small amounts of money or chips. The primary purpose is entertainment and social interaction.
More than 2.5 million U.S. adults (1%) meet diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder in a given year, and an additional 8-10 million (2-4%) would be considered to have mild or moderate gambling problems. In addition to this group of individuals, a significant number of people engage in recreational gambling, and many do so without any problems.
Gambling is a complex phenomenon, and there are numerous controversies surrounding its definition and prevalence. One difficulty is that different observers, such as research scientists, psychiatrists, other treatment care clinicians, and public policy makers, tend to frame the issue differently, reflecting their disciplinary training, experience, and special interests. As a result, the nomenclature used to describe gambling and gambling problems is somewhat fragmented.
There are several models that attempt to explain pathological gambling, and they differ in terms of the theoretical frameworks used, the empirical evidence presented, and their explanatory power. However, there is agreement on several points:
First, the occurrence of gambling is an act of choice; it is not inherently harmful, but when the activity becomes problematic the consequences can be devastating. Second, gambling is a complex activity, and the risks vary depending on frequency of exposure, cultural influence, social impact, biological and psychological influences, and availability of gambling resources. Therefore, a precise definition of gambling is necessary in order to safeguard consumers from fraudulent or unscrupulous practices, to create responsible gambling measures to prevent addiction and financial ruin, and to contextualize the potential harms that can occur. In particular, it is important to differentiate between recreational and problem gambling.
