Gambling is the risking of something of value, typically money, on an activity that involves chance in the hope of winning something of greater value. It is a widespread and persistent activity that has been around throughout history. Gambling can take many forms, from slot machines and horse racing to playing cards and lottery tickets. Some of these activities involve skill and some do not, but the psychological processes that underlie gambling are largely consistent. In the clinical and neurobiological literature, problems with gambling are referred to as compulsive gambling. This term is used by a variety of groups, including research scientists, psychiatrists and other treatment care clinicians, and public policy makers. These groups have developed different paradigms or world views from which to consider these issues, and they have disagreed about what constitutes compulsive gambling and when a person’s problem becomes dangerous.
Some people gamble for the excitement and rush of winning, socialising with friends or escaping worries or stress. Others feel compelled to gamble because they think that they have a ‘natural talent’ or that they are lucky. Several factors contribute to an individual’s vulnerability to gambling addiction, including genetic predisposition, environment and culture, and cognitive distortions (irregular thinking patterns that lead to errors in judgement).
It is important to recognise when someone has a problem with gambling. It is common for people to hide their gambling habits from friends and family, lie about how much they have lost and try to justify their behaviour. This can lead to serious financial and emotional problems. It is also important to seek help for any underlying mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety, which may trigger or be made worse by gambling problems.
Unlike other addictive substances, such as drugs and alcohol, there are no biological tests for gambling addiction. However, the signs and symptoms of gambling disorder are similar to those for substance use disorders. These include loss of control, preoccupation with gambling, lying and spending more than is reasonable for one’s income.
Gambling is also associated with a range of adverse consequences, such as family and relationship problems, legal troubles, poor work performance and debt. It is also associated with a range of psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, panic and depression. It is estimated that 3% of the US population has a gambling problem.
Working in the field of gambling disorder and addiction, I have observed that although the causes of problem gambling are complex, it is fundamentally about a lack of self-esteem and a desire to fulfil unmet needs for thrill and escape. In addition, gambling utilises the brain’s reward system through random rewards and produces the same dopamine response as taking drugs. This is why it can be so difficult to quit, even when the consequences of continuing to gamble are severe. However, recovery is possible and there are a number of resources available to assist people who struggle with gambling disorder, such as treatment programs and self-help tips.