Gambling is putting something of value at risk in hopes of winning a prize (usually money or goods). The term ‘gambling’ is used to describe an activity that involves the use of chance and has uncertain results. Buying lottery tickets, playing cards for money, horse racing, sports betting, and video poker are examples of gambling. However, some forms of gambling require skill or knowledge, such as stock market trading, and therefore are not considered to be gambling in the strictest sense.
Gambling was a popular pastime in early modern Europe and the Americas, but was gradually suppressed by laws and social conservatism. It has been resurgent since the late 20th century, and is now a global industry. It is estimated that about $10 trillion is legally wagered each year in the world. The majority of this is on lotteries, but there are also state-licensed casinos and wagering on football (soccer) events in most European countries, a number of South American and Australian states, and some African countries.
While some people enjoy gambling as a recreational activity, for others it becomes an obsession. Problem gambling affects relationships, work and study performance and can lead to debt and homelessness. In severe cases it can even cause suicide. It has been suggested that up to 400 suicides in England each year may be associated with gambling, as well as relationship breakdown, family violence, substance misuse and the erosion of civil institutions through corruption and corporate political activity.
The causes of gambling harm are complex. Some research suggests that it is the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Others suggest that it is related to an underlying personality disorder, such as pathological gambling. The prevailing theory is that some people are predisposed to addictive behaviours because of their inability to control impulses and manage risk-taking. The theories of sensation-seeking and novelty-seeking are relevant here; Zuckerman argues that some gamblers take risks because they enjoy states of high arousal during periods of uncertainty, while Cloninger proposes that some people prefer diverse sensations to simple ones.
Researchers, psychiatrists and other treatment clinicians, and public policy makers tend to frame questions about gambling from different paradigms or world views, which may influence how they understand and investigate the problem. This makes it difficult to agree on a common nomenclature or definitions for this field. Despite these limitations, many pioneering studies have been conducted to explore the complexities of gambling and its problems, and their contributions deserve recognition and appreciation. Their work is essential for the development of scientific knowledge and understanding of this important issue.
