Gambling is an activity where people place a wager on something of value with the primary intent to win additional money or material goods. The term gambling usually refers to activities that are characterized by a mixture of skill and chance, such as lotteries, casino games, and sports betting. It also includes activities such as online gambling.
Problem gambling can harm not only the person who gambles, but also their family, friends, work, and community. A person who is struggling with gambling can withdraw from previously enjoyed friendships, hobbies, or interests and may seem preoccupied by thoughts about gambling. They may lie about how much they have gambled or hide evidence of gambling from others.
A number of assessment tools have been developed to help clinicians identify problems with gambling and to guide treatment. These instruments can help identify a person who has a gambling disorder by measuring their symptoms over time (e.g., a gambling preoccupation, the need to increase the size of bets, a pattern of loss, chasing losses by gambling more frequently), or by looking at how often they have won in the past (e.g., a desire to return past winnings).
There are four main reasons why people enjoy gambling. They may gamble for socialisation, to escape their worries, because it makes them feel more self-confident, or for a thrill. While these reasons don’t absolve someone of responsibility, they can help us understand why a loved one can find it hard to stop gambling and what side effects can happen as a result.