Gambling is a widespread global activity in which participants stake something of value (usually money) on the outcome of an event that relies on chance. It is a socially acceptable and sometimes legal activity that can be done in a variety of ways, including betting on sports events (such as football), horse races, lottery games, and casino and online games. In some cases, gambling takes place with materials that have a monetary value but are not actual money, such as marbles or collectable game pieces (such as Pogs or Magic: The Gathering). Gambling can also be used to predict the future in a game of chance, and the practice has been associated with crime and political corruption as well as positive and negative economic impacts.
Although the majority of people participate in gambling as a recreational social activity, some individuals become excessively involved in gambling, with significant and often negative personal, family, and financial consequences. In order to identify problem gambling, the American Psychiatric Association offers the following checklist:
If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction, there are many things that can be done to help. For starters, it is important to strengthen one’s support network and make new friends who are not connected to gambling. It is also helpful to remove temptations by destroying credit cards, closing accounts, and only keeping a small amount of cash on hand. Finally, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. In extreme circumstances, untreated gambling addiction can lead to self-harm and even suicide.