Gambling is an activity where someone places something of value, such as money or goods, on the outcome of a game or event involving chance. Unlike games of skill, in which the player can control the outcome of their actions, gambling is considered an addiction because of its inability to create a win/loss balance. It also involves a high risk of losing money, property or life-assets and often leads to a sense of hopelessness.
Problem gambling affects a person’s health and wellbeing, can damage family relationships, impair work or study performance and lead to financial difficulties and even homelessness. It has been estimated that around 2.5 million people in the US (1%) meet the criteria for a severe gambling disorder and many more may have mild or moderate gambling problems.
Some people find pleasure in gambling, but when it becomes problematic it can cause serious harm to the individual’s physical and mental health, strained or broken family relationships, employment and education, and finances. It can also negatively impact a person’s social life, causing isolation. Problematic gambling is linked to substance abuse and can increase the risk of suicide.
It is a major source of income for casinos, racetracks and other gambling establishments. There are also numerous private gambling activities, such as card games like poker and blackjack that take place in a home setting, or bets on football matches or horse races among friends. Speculation on business, insurance or stock market trading is also considered gambling.
What causes gamblers to turn into addicts? While it is a complex issue, there are some basic warning signs that a person’s behavior has crossed the line into addiction. Symptoms include:
The biggest step in overcoming gambling disorder is realizing that you have a problem, which can be difficult for some people to do. However, there are a number of things that can help, including online therapy services that connect people with licensed, accredited therapists. BetterHelp, for example, offers a free assessment to determine whether you’re suffering from a gambling addiction and can match you with a therapist in as little as 48 hours.
Gambling is a commercial enterprise with a clear goal of making profit for its owners. It relies on a high volume of customers and large profits per gambler to make this possible, so it employs lots of people, from dealers and odds compilers to marketing and PR teams. In addition, gambling venues must be large enough to accommodate a lot of players, so they are not one-man shows. For this reason, they are not cheap and most people will need to have a reasonable amount of disposable income before they can afford to gamble there. This is why many gambling companies offer big bonuses to attract new gamblers and increase their turnover. This can be a good way to test your commitment to your goal of breaking your addiction to gambling.