Gambling is an activity where people risk something of value (money, property or even life) on the outcome of an event based on chance. It can take many forms such as betting on a football match, buying scratchcards or playing casino games like poker and blackjack. Some people enjoy gambling as a way to relax, socialize and have fun but for a small number of individuals it becomes a serious problem causing significant personal, family and financial problems.
A wide range of psychological factors influence how people gamble, including the frequency and amount spent on gambling activities, as well as their mood state. These include impulsivity, boredom susceptibility, poor understanding of random events, use of escape coping and stressful life experiences. A person’s risk of developing a gambling problem is increased when more than one of these factors is present.
Research into the causes of gambling problems has been limited by a lack of an agreed nomenclature, since researchers, psychiatrists and other treatment care clinicians frame questions about gambling differently according to their disciplinary training, experience and world view. As a result, a range of views has emerged on what gambling problems are, which includes recreational interest, diminished mathematical skills, impaired judgment, cognitive distortions and moral turpitude.
The main cause of a gambling addiction is a change in the reward pathway of the brain. This means that a person feels rewarded when they win money or make progress on a game. This can trigger the desire to keep gambling, despite increasing losses. This cycle is often exacerbated by the feeling that gambling offers short term relief from stress but ultimately contributes to greater levels of stress and anxiety.
Taking time out from gambling can help to reduce the urge and learn more effective ways of dealing with unpleasant emotions or relieving boredom. This may involve spending more time with friends who don’t gamble, exercising or practicing relaxation techniques. It is also helpful to find ways of reducing stress and finding alternative sources of income. Removing the temptation to gamble can improve a person’s financial health, enabling them to save money that would otherwise be lost on gambling and increase their ability to meet debt repayments. It can also lead to better budgeting and the ability to plan ahead with financial goals.