Pathological Gambling

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Gambling involves risking something of value (either money or something else of value) for the opportunity to win something of equal or greater value. Gambling is an activity that has been part of human culture throughout the history of humans. Gambling can be a fun and enjoyable hobby for most people. But it can also cause problems for some people, if it is not done in moderation.

Generally, there are four main reasons that people gamble. These include social, financial, entertainment, and escapism. Social reasons include the enjoyment of gambling in a social setting or the anticipation of a future win, such as a jackpot or other significant sum of money. This is especially true for people who are in poor economic circumstances. They may hope that winning money will improve their quality of life.

Economic benefits include jobs created, tourism, infrastructure improvements, and increased consumer spending. The negative aspects of gambling include decreased community/society level cohesion and loss of social capital, as well as psychological, family, and health effects on individuals.

Historically, many individuals who experience adverse consequences of gambling have been considered to have a gambling problem. Currently, however, the understanding of gambling disorders has undergone a shift. These individuals are now often referred to as pathological gamblers. This nomenclature reflects a shift in understanding and perspective that is similar to the change in terminology associated with alcohol use disorder. This is an important and welcome development because it encourages the recognition of a range of behavioral and emotional problems associated with gambling.