Gambling involves betting something of value on an event primarily determined by chance in the hopes of winning a prize. This type of activity has existed in virtually every society since prerecorded history and is often incorporated into local customs and rites of passage.
Gamblers can be motivated to gamble for a variety of reasons: to win money, because they think that gambling is an exciting way to socialize with friends or family, or because they dream of winning a jackpot that will allow them to retire early or afford to live more comfortably. They can also be motivated by a desire to get the same thrill they feel from taking drugs, but without the need for ingesting mind-altering substances.
Problem gamblers are often driven by one or more of the following factors: an early big win, boredom susceptibility, impulsivity, poor understanding of random events, use of escape coping and depression. They may lie to conceal their involvement with gambling or rely on others to help pay for expensive gambling activities. They may also jeopardize relationships, careers or educational opportunities in their efforts to control their gambling behavior.
Individuals who are convicted of gambling offenses can face misdemeanor or felony criminal penalties. These can include up to a year in jail and fines, or they can be ordered by the court to take part in a gambling addiction treatment program. Gambling can cause impacts at the personal, interpersonal and community/societal levels (see Fig. 1). The latter can influence the lives of people who are not necessarily gamblers themselves, such as when gamblers’ increased debt and financial strain affect their families or when their gambling addictions escalate to bankruptcy and homelessness.