Gambling is an activity where you stake something of value – money or other items of value – on the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under your control. This includes games like scratchcards and fruit machines but does not include bona fide business transactions valid under the law of contracts such as the purchase at a future date of securities or commodities, or contracts of indemnity or guaranty (e.g. life, health or accident insurance).
People gamble because they are chasing a win. Gambling can cause many problems if it becomes a habit. It can harm physical and mental health, damage relationships, affect performance at work or school, leave you with serious debt and even lead to homelessness. It can also have a negative impact on family and friends. It can be a problem for men and women of all ages, backgrounds and cultures.
The urge to gamble can be overwhelming. If you find yourself thinking about gambling more than usual or spending more time doing it, you may be suffering from an addiction to gambling. If you’re concerned about your own gambling or that of someone close to you, there are many organisations who offer support, advice and counselling for people affected by gambling.
Counselling can help you understand your behaviour and think about how it affects your life. It can also help you solve your problems and make changes. There are no drugs that are approved by the FDA to treat gambling disorders, although some medications can help with co-occurring mood disorders such as depression or anxiety.
Over half of the population takes part in some form of gambling. For some people this can be an enjoyable and harmless pastime. For others, it can become a serious problem that negatively impacts their health, relationships, work or study, causes financial difficulties and can even lead to suicide. Problem gambling can also harm the health of family, friends and colleagues.
Some people develop an addiction to gambling because they are looking for an adrenalin rush or way to escape their everyday problems and stresses. They may feel that they are not in control of their lives, and they need to ‘chase’ losses to try to reclaim what they have lost. This is known as the gambler’s fallacy and it can be very dangerous.
If you have a gambling problem, it’s important to seek treatment before it gets out of hand. There are many services that can provide help and support, including residential rehabilitation programs. There are also community-based services that can help you make changes to your lifestyle and learn new coping strategies. It’s also important to find healthy ways of relieving unpleasant feelings and reducing boredom, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, learning relaxation techniques or taking on new hobbies. Getting rid of credit cards, having someone else be in charge of your finances and closing online betting accounts are all good ways to limit your access to money for gambling purposes.