Gambling is the act of placing something of value (the stakes) on an event whose outcome depends on chance or luck. This may include betting on a sporting event, a game of chance such as the tossing of a coin or a spin of the roulette wheel, or even long-term bets such as a future sports contest. The gambler is hoping to win a prize that will be greater than the amount placed on the wager.
The amount of money legally wagered on gambling events worldwide is estimated to be over $10 trillion. While most individuals engage in gambling for recreational and social reasons, a small group of people become seriously involved, resulting in significant negative personal, family and financial consequences. This is known as compulsive or problem gambling.
While there is no one form of gambling that is more addictive than another, the psychological processes and events in all forms of gambling have some important similarities. Psychiatric literature has categorized problem gambling as a distinct mental health disorder. The current version of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) lists 10 warning signs of problem gambling.
The first step to overcoming a gambling addiction is to identify and recognize the issue. It is also important to find a healthy way to relieve unpleasant emotions and boredom, such as exercise, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, and relaxing with hobbies such as painting or writing.
It’s also important to know when to walk away. If you’re losing more than you are winning, or you’re starting to think about how you’ll recoup your losses if only you put in just one more bet, it’s time to walk away. This is called the gambler’s fallacy and it’s a sure sign that you need to quit.
Those suffering from gambling disorders often have trouble at work, missing important meetings and deadlines as their job becomes secondary to the lure of the casino floor. They may experience high levels of stress, depression or anxiety and struggle with poor health and personal relationships. They can also develop legal problems, such as theft and embezzlement.
The impact of gambling on individuals, families and society is enormous and has become a major focus of medical research. This review aims to examine the evidence on the relationship between gambling behavior and health and explores screening strategies for problem or pathological gambling and treatment options for those affected. The articles included in this review were retrieved from the medical database Medline (1966 to present) using the MeSH (Medical Subject Heading) and textword search for “gambling.” Articles were reviewed and selected if they met the following criteria: