Gambling involves wagering something of value on an event that is determined by chance and does not involve skill. It includes activities such as betting, lotteries, casino games and scratch cards. In gambling, wealth changes hands on the basis of chance and does not involve any creative effort or responsible investment (Shaffer, Hall & Bilt 1997).
While most people gamble for fun and social reasons, there is a small group that become too seriously involved in gambling to the point that it has negative personal, family and financial effects. This is a disorder called compulsive gambling or gambling addiction. A person with this problem experiences persistent recurrent gambling behavior that causes significant distress, even when they win. It may also interfere with normal work, school and family functioning.
A person with a gambling disorder needs professional help to recover from their problem. There are many resources available for help including self-assessment, counselling and support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous. Some of these services are free or low cost and others are paid for by the government. A national helpline is available at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (operated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
In addition to helping people stop gambling, many of these services can offer other types of help including individual therapy, marriage counseling, family therapy, debt and credit counseling, career and job coaching, and financial assistance. These services can be found at local community centres, hospitals, addiction treatment clinics, and mental health clinics.
People are attracted to gambling for a variety of reasons. Some gamble to socialise with friends, while others do it for the rush or the desire to win big money. They may also use gambling to meet other needs such as a sense of belonging, a feeling of power and control, or a way of finding solace. Gambling can be addictive because it triggers the brain’s reward pathway like a drug. When a gambler wins, they get a release of dopamine and this reinforces the behaviour. This is why it is important to make sure that you are only gambling with money that you can afford to lose. It is also important to set limits and stick to them. Try to only gamble with disposable income and never with money that you need for bills or rent. This will help you avoid overspending and getting into debt. Also, it is a good idea to keep track of your winnings and losses by keeping a budget or journal of your expenditure. This will help you identify patterns in your spending and take steps to improve them. It is important to remember that gambling venues are businesses and their aim is to make a profit, just as any business would. They employ staff from dealers to odds compilers and marketing teams and they all need to be paid. This is why casinos are not one-man shows. They are well-organised operations that can provide a service to the public that is both enjoyable and profitable.