Gambling is a risky activity that involves betting something of value (money, goods or services) on an uncertain event that is the result of chance. Despite the common association with casinos and fruit machines, gambling can take many forms. For example, sports betting, fantasy leagues, scratch cards and online poker are all considered gambling.
People who gamble for entertainment typically do so with some degree of enjoyment, but the activity can also be a form of addiction that leads to significant distress and impairment. A small percentage of people who engage in gambling develop a gambling disorder, which is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a pathological gambling disorder. This is a serious condition, and requires treatment.
Most people who gamble do so without a problem, and some have even benefited from it, such as when they have won a lottery jackpot or a sporting event. But other people become addicted to gambling, and this is often more severe than other forms of addiction.
There are a number of different reasons why people become compulsive gamblers, including the thrill of winning, social pressure to participate, and an underlying mood disorder such as depression or stress. For this reason, it is important to seek help for a loved one who is struggling with these problems and has developed a gambling habit.
Signs of gambling addiction include a desire to gamble more frequently or with higher stakes, frequent lying about gambling activities and/or financial status, and repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling. Other warning signs of gambling addiction include a sudden and dramatic change in personality, reckless behavior and/or increased alcohol consumption.