Gambling is the wagering of something of value, such as money or property, on an uncertain event with the hope of winning a prize. It is also considered to be an activity that involves a psychological element with the potential to disrupt or damage a person’s well-being. The practice is illegal in most countries. Many people who engage in gambling are able to control their behavior and do not have a problem, but some do develop a pathological gambler disorder that is similar to addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Although the majority of adults and adolescents have gambled at some time, a significant subset of individuals who begin to gamble go on to develop gambling disorder, defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as persistent recurrent gambling that is associated with substantial distress or impairment. The development of gambling disorder can be triggered by an underlying mood disorder such as depression, stress, or anxiety, and may be made worse by compulsive gambling.
Research indicates that about 2.5 million Americans (1%) meet the criteria for a severe gambling problem, and many more have mild or moderate problems. Young people, especially males and those with low incomes, are at greater risk of developing a gambling disorder. They are the fastest-growing group of gamblers and are more likely than older people to start gambling before they are mature enough to make sound decisions about their gambling. In addition, they tend to gamble for longer periods of time and are more likely to try to win back lost money than do older gamblers.
People who gamble often report a sense of enjoyment and excitement, as well as the desire to gain a return on their investment. These pleasures are mediated by the brain’s release of dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter. Nevertheless, gambling can be extremely addictive and lead to serious consequences.
The nature of gambling and its effects is highly complex. Different observers frame the issue differently and have a variety of paradigms or world views from which to consider it. For example, the various groups who study gambling—research scientists, psychiatrists, other treatment care clinicians, and public policy makers—tend to consider it from different angles, depending on their disciplinary training and experience and special interests. These differing perspectives can have a strong influence on how issues are framed and discussed.
