What is Gambling?

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Gambling is an activity where people place bets in order to win a prize. There are many ways in which gambling can be undertaken, such as sports betting, scratchcards and online casinos. People gamble for a variety of reasons, such as the thrill of winning and to pass time. Some people may even gamble for a coping mechanism, such as when they are feeling down or depressed. It is important to remember that anyone can develop a gambling problem, no matter their age, race or education level.

Problem gamblers often lose control of their spending and end up in debt. Some even attempt suicide, which is a serious issue and one that must be taken seriously. In fact, studies have shown a link between gambling and suicidal thoughts, so it’s important to seek help if you think that you or a loved one is at risk.

In the past, psychiatric professionals have viewed pathological gambling as a compulsion rather than an addiction, but in the 1980s the American Psychiatric Association moved pathological gambling to the Addictions section of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This change was prompted by the growing recognition that gambling is not just a compulsion but an impulse-control disorder, akin to kleptomania, pyromania and trichotillomania (hair pulling).

There are both financial and non-financial impacts of gambling. The financial impacts are those that involve real money and are quantifiable, while the non-financial impacts include effects on a personal, interpersonal and societal/community level.