Gambling involves placing something of value, such as money or property, on a random event with the hope of winning something else of greater value. It is the most common type of betting activity in the world. People may gamble on events that have a high degree of uncertainty, such as a football match or scratchcard, or those that are influenced by skill, such as a horse race.
Despite its widespread popularity, gambling is not without risk. It can lead to a variety of negative consequences, including the loss of personal wealth and/or family income; financial problems; legal issues (e.g., forgery, fraud, embezzlement, or theft); and strained relationships. It can also increase the likelihood of mental health problems, such as depression, stress, and anxiety.
A subset of people develop a disorder known as pathological gambling, which is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) by the American Psychiatric Association as a pattern of persistent and recurrent gambling behavior associated with significant distress or impairment. Pathological gambling is characterized by an inability to control impulses and an impaired ability to evaluate risks and rewards.
If you have a problem with gambling, talk to your doctor. They may recommend cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which can help you change the way you think about betting and your beliefs about luck. They may also suggest you seek treatment for underlying mood disorders, which can trigger or make worse gambling problems. You can also join a support group for gamblers, such as Gamblers Anonymous, which follows a 12-step model similar to Alcoholics Anonymous.
