Gambling, the practice of placing something of value – usually money – on the outcome of an unpredictable event, has existed throughout human history and may even become part of local customs and rituals. Gambling may serve as recreational interest, social activity or investment activity.
Gambling takes many forms, from casino table games such as blackjack and roulette, through slot machines, horse racing betting pools and video gaming machines, all the way to lottery tickets. You can even gamble using materials other than money such as marbles or collectible game pieces (such as Magic: The Gathering cards or Pogs). Skill can play an important role in gambling; players can employ strategies and probabilities knowledge to increase their odds of victory; however most forms of gambling rely solely on chance without needing any skill whatsoever for success.
Estimates suggest that approximately 2.5 million adults (1%) meet diagnostic criteria for severe gambling problems; an additional 5-8 million (2-3) experience mild or moderate gambling issues that do not satisfy all the criteria of a disorder, but cause distress or negative consequences as a result of their gambling behavior.
Addiction to gambling can affect people of all ages. Children as young as seven may spend hours immersed in mobile and computer games requiring microtransactions and payments, with research showing adolescents more prone than older adults to developing problems with this kind of activity. Men are particularly prone to becoming gambling addicts at an early stage in their adolescence.
No definitive method exists for diagnosing gambling disorder; however, psychologists have identified several early warning signs which could suggest potential risk. Some of these include:
Repeated attempts at controlling, cutting back or stopping gambling; frequently feeling distressed after losing money (e.g. helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression); returning day after day in an attempt to recover (“chasing one’s losses”); lying to family members or therapists to cover up one’s gambling addiction; jeopardizing significant relationships, jobs, educational or career opportunities or financial security due to gambling; engaging in illegal acts like forgery embezzlement theft fraud etc to fund it; or depending on others to provide relief when desperate financial situations caused by gambling have arisen due to this behavior;
Pathological gambling can have serious and life-altering repercussions, including debt, bankruptcy, divorce, criminal activity, drug abuse and suicide. But there are ways you can lower the risk of becoming a compulsive gambler or help someone who already is one. Consult a professional counselor if any warning signs appear in yourself or someone you know. Also seek treatment for depression or anxiety disorders which might be worsened by gambling as well as support from friends and family; find other activities to occupy your time other than gambling