Gambling is when you risk money or something of value (like a ticket for the football match or a scratchcard) in an attempt to predict a random event. It’s a form of risk-taking and can be a fun way to socialise with friends, but it can also be addictive. If you have a gambling problem, it’s important to know that there are ways to get help and find support. This article will explain what gambling is, how it works, the risks and what to do if you are worried about a friend or family member’s gambling behaviour.
Unlike other forms of risk-taking, such as investing in stocks and shares or taking out insurance, gambling is purely based on chance. There is no skill involved in the process – it’s just as likely to win as it is to lose. Despite this, there are some skills that can improve your chances of winning in some games – for example, knowing the odds of winning a specific card game or having knowledge about horses and jockeys in a horse race can reduce the randomness of the outcome.
The reason people gamble is to experience feelings of euphoria, which are linked to the brain’s reward system. This is why it can be difficult for some people to stop gambling – especially when they have experienced a series of wins. Each time they win, their reward system gets activated and they feel a rush of dopamine. As a result, they keep gambling to experience the same level of dopamine again. This is known as ‘gambling addiction’ and it can be very difficult to overcome.
However, it’s also important to recognise that the probability of losing is actually higher than the probability of winning. This is because people are more sensitive to losses than gains of the same amount – for example, losing PS10 generates a much stronger emotional reaction than finding PS10. Moreover, people who are predisposed to gambling addiction tend to have difficulty controlling their impulses. In addition, they often have genetic predispositions towards developing an addictive personality, which makes them more susceptible to becoming addicted to gambling.
There are many reasons why people gamble – some do it for coping reasons, such as to forget their worries or to feel more confident, and others do it for social rewards. Whatever the reason, it is important to remember that gambling is a high-risk activity that can have devastating consequences for people with gambling disorders. If you are concerned about the gambling behaviour of a loved one, try and understand why they do it and be patient with them as they seek help. You can also support them by talking about your concerns, or offering to accompany them to a meeting of Gamblers Anonymous, which is a peer support group modelled on Alcoholics Anonymous. You can also try a range of other activities to distract yourself from gambling, such as exercising, enrolling in an education course or volunteering.