Gambling involves betting something of value (the stake) on an event with an uncertain outcome with the intent to win money or other prizes. The event could be as simple as a roll of the dice or as complex as a horse race. People gamble for social reasons, financial reasons, for fun or to pass time and for thrills and excitement. It can also be a way to escape from boredom or stress.

Many factors can contribute to gambling addiction, including a predisposition for thrill-seeking behaviours, genetics, impaired brain reward systems, lack of impulse control and a poor understanding of the odds of an event. In addition, a gambler’s family may play an important role in the development of their gambling problems, particularly if they live in a culture that views it as acceptable and fun.

There are many negative impacts of gambling, including the loss of income, debt and depression. Gambling can also have positive effects, such as promoting economic growth and providing entertainment. It is important to balance these positives with the risks of gambling, and ensure it is regulated responsibly.

In the past, the psychiatric community generally viewed pathological gambling as a compulsion motivated by a desire to relieve anxiety rather than as an addictive disorder. However, in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) – published this year – pathological gambling has been moved to the Addictions chapter, alongside other impulse-control disorders such as kleptomania and trichotillomania.

While the number of people with gambling problems has increased, there are still many who do not seek help. Part of the reason for this is that there are few clear criteria for identifying gambling problems, and even among clinicians the terminology used to describe them can be confusing. For example, researchers, psychiatrists and other treatment care providers use different paradigms or worldviews when they frame questions about gambling, depending on their disciplinary training and special interests.

Social Impacts

The social costs and benefits of gambling can be measured at the personal, interpersonal and society/community levels. Individual and interpersonal impacts include invisible costs to the gambler, such as their reduced quality of life, and external costs to those around them – for example, their families who may be experiencing financial distress. The societal/community level includes the cost of problem gambling, which can accumulate to a level where it becomes a significant drain on public funds.

Some studies have focused on monetary social impacts, which are easily quantifiable. This approach can be misleading, since it neglects the fact that gambling has other social and psychological impacts. For example, the pleasure derived from anticipating a small win can increase self-esteem in lower socioeconomic groups. In addition, some studies have shown that people who are engaged in gambling activities tend to have better physical and mental health than nongamblers. In addition, the euphoria of winning can reinforce social bonds in family and friends. Moreover, gambling can stimulate local economies by creating employment opportunities and contributing to the development of tourist infrastructure and sports facilities.