Gambling involves risking something of value, usually money, on a random event that is outside the control of the gambler. There are a wide range of gambling activities, including playing card games like poker or blackjack with friends in a home setting, placing bets on sports events such as football or horse races, and wagering on casino games like slot machines. The psychological effects of gambling are similar across the various games, and some forms of gambling can be very addictive. While no single type of gambling is more dangerous than others, some forms of gambling may be especially harmful to people with mental health problems or those at high risk for developing them.
A person may become addicted to gambling by repeatedly taking risks that are not in his or her best interests. This is known as pathological gambling. The addiction can lead to serious financial and social problems for the person who engages in it, and can have a negative impact on family members as well. Often, gambling is a hidden addiction that can be hard to identify and treat.
It is important for healthcare professionals to recognize the signs and symptoms of a problem with gambling in order to help their patients get the treatment they need. In addition to recognizing the physical signs, such as deteriorating dental health or dwindling bank accounts, healthcare providers should also pay attention to other behavioral indicators, such as lying or borrowing money to gamble, and look for signs of depression and suicidal thoughts.
Some people are predisposed to a gambling disorder, such as those with an underactive brain reward system or those who are genetically inclined to thrill-seeking behaviors and impulsivity. Other factors that can contribute to a gambling problem include stress, poverty, and other social and environmental factors. Many cultures consider gambling to be a normal pastime, which can make it difficult to distinguish between healthy and problematic gambling behavior.
While gambling is a legal activity in most countries, some governments regulate it more tightly than others. The United States has a complex history with gambling, from its prominence on Mississippi riverboats in the 1800s to moral conservatism that led to outright bans in the early 20th century. In recent decades, there has been a gradual softening of attitudes toward gambling and a relaxation of laws against it.
The purpose of this article is to review the literature on the effects of gambling on people’s health, the development and diagnosis of pathological gambling, and screening strategies for problem and pathological gambling. To conduct this study, we searched the medline database (1966 to present) using the MeSH (Medical Subject Heading) and textword “gambling”. All articles that were written in English, involved humans, and discussed gambling and its impact on health were included in this review. Those that met the criteria were reviewed in more detail, and the results are presented here. This research is a part of the CARE Initiative on Compulsive and Problematic Gambling.