Gambling involves placing money or other material valuables on a random event, whether it be the roll of a dice, spin of a roulette wheel, or outcome of a horse race. Historically, gambling has been viewed as immoral and illegal, but now more people participate in the activity than ever before. It can be enjoyable, but the risks and uncertainty involved in gambling are not to be taken lightly.<\/p>\n
While the majority of individuals participate in gambling for entertainment or a social experience, a small subgroup of individuals become seriously involved in a pattern of gambling behavior that results in negative personal, family, and economic consequences. Some of the features that characterize problem gambling (PG) include: (1) a preoccupation with gambling; (2) lying to friends, family members, and coworkers about the amount of time spent or money spent on gambling; (3) a persistent attempt to recoup losses (chasing); and (4) risky financial behaviors such as forgery, fraud, theft, embezzlement, or other crimes to fund gambling activities.<\/p>\n
Although it is well established that gambling involves impulsiveness, the precise mechanisms underlying the emergence and progression of PG are not fully understood. Some theories have linked gambling behavior to sensation- and novelty-seeking, arousal, and negative emotionality. However, these theories have not withstood courtroom challenges when challenged against the more traditional view that impulsive disorders like pathological gambling are purely dysfunctional.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"