Gambling involves placing something of value on an event that is influenced by chance. It can include sports betting, lottery games, online gambling and video games that incorporate elements of gambling. While most people gamble responsibly and enjoy it as an entertaining diversion, some develop problems that cause them distress and impairment. In some cases, people develop a gambling disorder, which is recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition).
Some gamble for coping reasons – to forget their worries, or to feel more self-confident. They may also do it to relieve boredom, or because they like the thrill of winning. It is important to remember that these reasons are not excuses for unhealthy behaviour.
Problematic gambling changes the reward pathway in the brain and makes it difficult for people to stop. When they win, their brain releases dopamine, which causes them to want to keep gambling. This is a useful mechanism when learning a new skill, such as shooting basketballs into a net, but it can become dangerous when gambling becomes a way to escape or profit from life’s stressors.
While many studies have assessed positive impacts, few examine the negative effects of gambling on individuals and their significant others. This article reviews complementing and contrasting views on the impact of gambling, creating a conceptual model from a public health perspective. Benefits and costs are categorized into three classes: financial, labor and health, and well-being.