Gambling involves placing something of value on an event with the intent of winning a prize. The wager can be a sum of money, a good or service, or a promise of future benefits (e.g., tickets to a show or sporting event). Although many people place bets and win them, a subset of gamblers develop gambling disorders, which are defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as recurrent patterns of gambling that cause significant distress and impairment. These disorders affect all ages and include problem gambling, pathological gambling and other types of disordered gambling.
While most people gamble without a problem, research suggests that some individuals may be predisposed to becoming addicted. This is due to the way their brains process rewards, control impulses and weigh risk. Some studies suggest that genetic factors also play a role. For example, those with an underactive reward system or who are highly impulsive are more likely to develop gambling problems. Others may have a family history of gambling problems or a cultural belief that gambling is normal. These beliefs can make it difficult to recognize when there is a problem and seek help.
Some people are not at high risk for developing a gambling problem because they do not have a history of disordered behavior or because they have a low tolerance for the excitement of gambling. However, other people have a very strong desire to win and are unable to control their gambling activity, even when they are aware of the risks. Problems can occur in both men and women of any age or race, although those with higher socioeconomic status are at greater risk for developing gambling disorders.
The negative effects of gambling can have a significant impact on society. These impacts can be at the personal, interpersonal or community/society level and can have both positive and negative consequences. Typically, most research has focused on economic costs and benefits, as these are easily quantifiable. However, a more holistic approach to gambling impacts would incorporate quality of life and other attributes of social capital into the analysis. This could be accomplished using health-related quality of life (HRQL) weights, also known as disability weights, which measure the per-person burden on a person’s quality of life.