Gambling is an activity where an individual risks something of value in exchange for a potential reward. It is an enjoyable pastime for many, but for some it can become a problem. When it is a problem, gambling may provide short term relief from stress but can lead to more problems in the long run.
For some individuals, gambling is a social event and can bring people together. The media often portrays it as glamorous, sexy and fashionable which can be appealing for those who want to be seen in a similar way. For others, it can be a distraction from a stressful situation such as financial problems or depression and they seek the excitement that comes with winning.
When someone gambles, the brain responds with a dopamine reward. The reward is a positive experience that motivates them to repeat the action. This process is very similar to how a person builds tolerance to medication such as heroin. However, if the person continues to gamble even after the rewards stop, it can be considered an addiction.
Many people have different reasons for why they gamble. It could be for social reasons, like being around friends or family, the chance of winning money or because it makes a gathering more fun. It can also be a form of entertainment, where they enjoy thinking about what they would do with their winnings or for the thrill and rush it can give them.
For some, it can become a problem when the losses outweigh the wins. When this happens, they may start to take risks that aren’t as sensible, such as betting more than they can afford to lose. This can lead to serious debt and other problems that can have a negative impact on the rest of their life.
Some people have a genetic or psychological predisposition towards becoming addicted to gambling. This is known as compulsive gambling and was recently included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as an addictive behavior. Pathological gambling is a compulsion that can be hard to control, and it can be difficult for some people to recognise the problem.
It is important to understand that gambling causes impacts on society. These impacts have been found at the personal, interpersonal and community/societal level and can have a profound effect on a person’s life. These impacts can change the course of an individual’s life and affect generations to come.
To address these issues, it is crucial to have a common methodology for assessing the impacts of gambling. To date, most studies have ignored social impacts in favour of focusing on economic costs and benefits, which are much easier to quantify. This approach is problematic because it ignores the fact that gambling has a wider societal impact than just the person who is gambling. As per Williams and Walker, social impacts are defined as costs or benefits that are non-monetary in nature and affect society rather than just the gambler.