A Little About Gambling
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A little about Gambling
Gambling is putting something of value at risk in the hope of gaining some kind of reward. It is often viewed as a socially acceptable form of risk-taking, but it is also one of the most dangerous and addictive activities. Harm associated with gambling can include financial, psychological and family problems and even suicide. Research has found that people with serious gambling disorders are 15 times more likely to die by suicide than those without them. In addition, the act of gambling can deprive people of money they need to cover basic living expenses and lead to food insecurity and poverty.
Traditionally, the term ‘gambling’ has referred to wagering real money on activities that involve chance and uncertain outcomes. This is reflected in the dictionary definition of gambling as ‘the staking of money or other things of value on an event that is determined at least partly by chance, and in which the outcome is not known in advance.’ However, more recently, the meaning of the word has expanded to incorporate skill-based activities, such as sports betting and poker.
The prevalence of gambling has increased dramatically, and the risks have become more serious than ever before. It is largely due to new forms of gambling that are increasingly accessible, and the promotion of gambling through commercial associations with sport and culture, which normalize it for young people. People with high levels of gambling harm are more likely to experience other forms of harm such as mental health problems, relationship difficulties, substance misuse and poor physical health. They are also more likely to be incarcerated or to commit crimes.
Understanding what makes people vulnerable to gambling problems could help to develop better prevention and treatment strategies, and elucidate the evolving health impacts of gambling and its consequences for children and adolescents. For example, some people may be more susceptible to gambling problems because of their personality characteristics. For example, sensation-seeking theories of gambling (Zuckerman 1979) and Cloninger’s theory of impulsivity (1987) suggest that some individuals are attracted to the unpredictable emotional arousal and excitement of gambling.
A range of psychometric tests are available to measure the severity of gambling disorder. However, it is important to recognize that these instruments are not designed for use with pathological gamblers and have limitations in their ability to identify this group of individuals. They should be used as part of a comprehensive assessment process that includes interviewing and other clinical measures. The sensitivity, specificity, and reliability of these tools vary depending on their construct validity and the methodological quality of their development. Until these tools are improved, it will be difficult to advance scientifically based knowledge of gambling disorder and its implications.