Gambling is a risky activity in which something of value, such as money or goods, is placed on an event that is unpredictable and cannot be controlled. It includes games of pure chance such as lottery, bingo, dead pool and scratchcards as well as activities that involve skill such as betting on horse races or card games.
While most people gamble responsibly, some individuals develop problems that can impact their personal, family and professional lives. Problem gambling, also known as compulsive gambling or gambling disorder, is a serious mental health condition where an individual is unable to control their gambling behaviour.
Research suggests that people with a gambling disorder have an underactive brain reward system, which can contribute to feelings of pleasure and impulsivity. Other factors include genetics, personality traits and coexisting mental health conditions. People in lower socioeconomic groups are more vulnerable to developing a gambling disorder. In addition, some cultures consider gambling a normal pastime, which can make it hard for people to recognise when their behaviour is unhealthy.
The DSM-IV defines pathological gambling as a pattern of behavior that includes one or more of the following: (1) Continuing to gamble even after losing considerable sums, in an attempt to win back lost funds (‘loss chasing’); (2) lying to family members, friends or therapists to conceal involvement with gambling; (3) jeopardizing or sacrificing important life events or relationships for gambling; and (4) relying on others to finance gambling or to cover losses.