The Effects of Gambling
Gambling involves wagering money or something else of value on a random event, such as the roll of a dice, the spin of a roulette wheel or the outcome of a horse race. There are four main reasons why people gamble: for social reasons – to enjoy playing card games with friends, or to make a social gathering more enjoyable; for financial reasons – to win money and to fantasize about what they might do with it; for entertainment reasons – to get the rush or ‘high’ gambling gives them; and for therapeutic purposes – to relieve stress and tension.
While most people can gamble responsibly and without harming themselves or their families, a small percentage of people lose control of their gambling and end up incurring debts that impair their ability to support themselves and their family. These problems can have serious psychological, emotional and social consequences. Fortunately, help is available to those who need it.
In a society where gambling is legal, a proportion of government revenues must be dedicated to funding gambling regulations and professional training, as well as treatment services for problem gamblers. In addition, a substantial amount of public resources must be invested in maintaining community stability and preventing the development of gambling-related problems.
Casinos are real businesses that employ a range of staff, from dealers and odds compilers to marketing executives and public relations professionals. In addition, casinos contribute to local economies by providing jobs and bringing visitors into the area, increasing consumer spending and boosting hotel room rates.
Although a number of studies have examined these effects, methodological challenges have made it difficult to evaluate the full extent and nature of casino impacts. Consequently, most research has focused on the personal and interpersonal levels of impact, with less attention to community/society level impacts.
It is important to differentiate between the different types of gambling. While the majority of people who gamble do so responsibly and enjoy the entertainment value, a minority overindulge and become addicted. Those with addictions may find it difficult to recognize that they have a problem and, therefore, may conceal their gambling activities or lie about how much time and money they are spending on the activity.
Those who are unable to control their gambling behavior often engage in self-destructive behaviors. They may become irritable, angry or short-tempered; they may attempt to manipulate their finances and hide evidence of their gambling activity from their family and friends. In some cases, people who are addicted to gambling may even commit illegal acts, such as forgery or theft, to finance their habit. This type of behavior has been called pathological gambling, and it is one of the four major psychiatric disorders. It is estimated that approximately 5% of adults in the United States meet the criteria for pathological gambling. This figure is higher among women than men. Pathological gambling can cause a wide variety of psychological, social and physical problems. However, the condition can be treated through a combination of medication and psychotherapy.