Gambling is an activity in which people place a bet on something of value (like money or goods) with the hope of winning something else of value (like a prize). While most gamblers enjoy their gambling activities, a small group develops problematic behavior that is serious enough to meet diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling. Pathological gambling can cause significant distress and impairment in a person’s life.
Despite being legally prohibited in many areas, people engage in gambling throughout the world. The majority of the gambling takes place in casinos and other commercial establishments. However, people also wager money or items on events like horse races and football games in their own homes, with friends or coworkers. Additionally, the internet has made it possible to wager on sports and other events online and with mobile devices anytime of the day.
People use gambling to relieve boredom or a lack of other social activities, self-soothe unpleasant emotions, and manage financial difficulties. For some, though, gambling can lead to addiction and a cycle of problem behaviors that can have negative effects on their personal lives and society. Understanding what makes some individuals vulnerable to developing problems could help prevent and treat problem gambling and improve the way that governments regulate and address it. For this reason, the EIGHT project has reviewed articles published in peer-reviewed journals using the Medline database (1966 to present) and the MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) text word “gambling.” The final review included articles that reported on the health impacts of gambling, discussed screening strategies for gambling disorder, or described treatment for problem or pathological gambling.