Whether it’s betting on the football, lotto, horse races, scratchcards or online games, gambling involves wagering something of value on an event whose outcome is determined by chance. People gamble for a variety of reasons – some may be trying to change their mood, others are chasing the dream of winning the jackpot, while other just enjoy the social element of gambling with friends. However, for some, gambling can cause harm. This article looks at why that is, and some of the things we can do to avoid or reduce harm from gambling.
Gambling is a global industry with many different forms, including casinos, lotteries, sports betting and online gaming. It is legal in some countries and illegal in others, depending on national laws and regulations. The total amount of money wagered on these events is estimated at over $10 trillion per year.
There are many different factors that contribute to the harm caused by gambling. This includes a lack of understanding of the odds that are involved in gambling, the illusion of control, and the illusory nature of the return on investment. It is also important to consider the social, economic and psychological effects of gambling.
The earliest evidence of gambling is found in China, with tiles that appeared to be used for betting on a rudimentary game of chance dating back to 2,300 B.C. This was followed by the invention of a dice game in ancient Egypt, and eventually by more sophisticated card games in Europe. Modern gambling has a global reach, with organized lotteries operating in most European countries and North America, state-licensed casinos in many jurisdictions, and an international network of offshore and legal online gambling websites.
While the majority of people who gamble do so responsibly, some have serious problems with it. These range from behaviours that increase the risk of developing problem gambling (subclinical) to those that meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for pathological gambling (PG). The term “disordered gambling” is used to describe this spectrum of disordered behaviour.
In order to minimize the risk of gambling harm, it is recommended that gamblers always play with disposable income and not money needed for bills or rent. They should only bet with money that they can afford to lose, and use a betting system which will help them improve their chances of winning by increasing their bet size when they win. However, even this strategy can only improve a gambler’s odds in the short term, and cannot eliminate their long term odds of losing.
It is also important to understand that gambling is a form of entertainment, and should be treated as such. Casinos have no tolerance for abusive or offensive patrons, and it is important to maintain a level of decorum and respect while gambling. If you find that gambling is causing you harm, the NHS website has some great self-help sections which will help you reduce or stop your gambling.
