Gambling is placing a bet on something that relies on chance, for instance a football match or scratchcard. It involves risking something of value in order to win a prize and has existed in virtually every society since pre-recorded history. It has been incorporated into local customs and rites of passage throughout the world and is now accessible at all times, from anywhere, in many forms. People can place a bet on sporting events, in casinos, at online betting sites, through video games or even via telephone.
While some people will gamble responsibly and enjoy it as a recreational activity, others will develop a problem. In some cases, this may lead to a life of addiction, financial ruin and even suicide. Many gambling problems are fueled by an underlying mood disorder such as depression, stress or substance abuse. Often these disorders can be made worse by compulsive gambling and should be addressed as part of recovery.
There are a number of warning signs to look out for, as well as risk factors that increase the likelihood of gambling problems developing. These include having difficulty controlling your finances or spending a lot of time in gambling establishments and casinos. Experiencing urges to gamble, lying about your gambling to friends and family or secretly engaging in it are also indicators. People with a high level of debt, low self-esteem or poor health can also be vulnerable to gambling problems.
The psychology of gambling has undergone a significant shift in understanding over the years. In the past, people who experienced adverse consequences of gambling were viewed as having mental problems. This shift is reflected in and stimulated by changes in the diagnostic criteria for compulsive gambling in successive editions of the American Psychiatric Association’s official guide to psychological disorders, known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
Scientists have also learned a great deal about how the brain functions during and after gambling. For example, it has been found that the brain releases dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter, when you gamble. This chemical response helps explain why you might feel so excited when you win a bet and is why some people cannot walk away from a gambling machine or table.
As access to gambling has expanded and the range of betting options has increased, psychologists are concerned that it is being embraced by an increasing number of young people who might struggle with gambling problems in the future. This includes children who are playing video and mobile games with gambling elements and teenagers. Research suggests that the human brain is not fully mature until around age 25. This makes younger people more likely to behave recklessly and develop bad habits.
Aside from the behavioural risk factors, there are other personal and family issues that can fuel problematic gambling, including the desire to relieve unpleasant emotions such as boredom or loneliness. In some cases, this can be a way of masking other problems such as depression, anxiety or relationship difficulties. Changing the ways you manage these feelings and finding healthier and safer alternatives to gambling can help you stop relying on it to cope with them.