Pathological Gambling

Gambling involves risking something of value (money, goods or services) on an event whose outcome is based at least in part on chance. It has existed in virtually every society since prerecorded history and is often incorporated into local customs and rites of passage. While the vast majority of people participate in gambling as enjoyable social activity, a small percentage become seriously involved and continue gambling despite substantial negative personal, social and financial costs. This is known as pathological gambling.

Pathological gamblers may be in denial about their problem, claiming that they can control their behavior. They often use gambling as a way to cope with problems such as fear, depression and anxiety. They may also hide their gambling activities from friends and family members and attempt to conceal their losses. They may even resort to suicide. In addition, they can develop a wide variety of secondary effects such as family and relationship difficulties, employment issues and mental illness. Gambling can also divert household consumption expenditure from essential goods and services.

The prevalence of pathological gambling is unknown, but estimates range from less than 1% to more than 5% of the population. It is more common among men than women and tends to occur in those with lower incomes. It can be a particularly serious problem among young people. For example, a recent study found that more than two-thirds of teens who play games like FIFA 18 and Assassin’s Creed Origins opened loot boxes that contained items, such as weapons, armor and clothes, that could be sold for real money or used in the game.

Researchers are working to understand what makes some people vulnerable to developing a gambling disorder. They are seeking to identify genes that increase the likelihood of gambling problems and understand the role of chemical messengers in the brain that can influence a person’s reaction to gambling. They are also examining the potential for interventions to prevent and reduce gambling harm.

A major barrier to the development of a better understanding of the nature of pathological gambling lies in the lack of reliable diagnostic tools. Several instruments have been developed to assess the presence of pathological gambling, but they differ in terms of their validity and reliability. These differences are due to a number of factors such as sampling design, interviewing technique and the complexity of the instrument.

Interventions to prevent and reduce gambling harm include universal pre-commitment systems (requiring people to set binding limits on the time and amount they spend gambling) and self-exclusion from gambling providers. Research suggests that these measures are most effective when they are accompanied by strict regulation and enforcement. This is especially important in countries where the majority of gambling revenue is collected through state-sponsored lotteries and other forms of organized sports betting. In these situations, the government receives significant tax revenues from these businesses, creating a conflict of interest that can hamper efforts to reduce gambling-related harms. In addition, many states and nations have gambling helplines that offer support to those who need it.