What is Gambling?

Gambling is the putting of something of value, such as money or goods, at risk on an uncertain event, with the intention of winning more than what is placed at stake. It is distinguished from a wager on an intellectual contest or other event where instances of strategy are discounted. Examples include lotteries, sports events, cards, bingo, slots and machines, instant scratchcards, dice, races and animal tracks, and games of chance like roulette. The practice of gambling has a long history, but until recently it was almost uniformly outlawed in most areas. This changed in the late 20th century, with a softening of attitudes and a relaxation of laws against it.

People gamble for a variety of reasons – the thrill of winning, socialising with friends, or an escape from worries and stress. But for some, it can become a serious problem. If you are concerned that your gambling is out of control, try seeking help from a support group or addressing any underlying mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety, that may be contributing to the behaviour.

Pathological gambling (PG) is a disorder characterized by persistent and recurrent maladaptive patterns of gambling behavior. It can start as early as adolescence or young adulthood and typically becomes apparent several years later. Men tend to develop PG at a faster rate and are more likely to be affected by strategic, face-to-face forms of gambling, such as blackjack and poker, while women have more problems with nonstrategic and less interpersonally interactive forms of gambling, such as slot machines or bingo.