Gambling is an activity in which you risk something of value (usually money) in hopes of winning a prize. The odds of winning are usually based on chance, but skill can also play a part in gambling. People gamble in places such as casinos, racetracks, bingo halls, church halls and on the Internet.
While many people think of slot machines and casino games when they hear the word gambling, the term actually encompasses any game of chance or skill where you stake something to win a prize. This includes everything from buying a scratch ticket to betting on a football match to playing office pools.
Often, the urge to gamble is an attempt to relieve feelings of depression or anxiety. However, a person may not realize their gambling is out of control until they start spending more than they can afford, accumulating debt and experiencing financial hardship such as foreclosure on their home or car loan default.
When you gamble, the probability that you will lose is much greater than the probability that you will win. This is because the house – that is, the casino or bookmaker – has an edge over you. The house edge can be predetermined, as in the case of roulette or some casino games, or it can fluctuate depending on the action at a given time (like in sports betting).
In addition to helping you break free from the addictive cycle of losing and winning, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you change the way you think about gambling. Your therapist will look at your beliefs about gambling, such as that you are more likely to win than you are and that certain rituals increase your chances of success. He or she will also teach you skills to help you resist the temptation to gamble, such as identifying and using positive coping and problem-solving strategies.
If your therapist believes that underlying mental health problems are contributing to your compulsive gambling, medication or treatment for those conditions may be recommended. Some examples of underlying conditions that can contribute to compulsive gambling are bipolar disorder, substance abuse or depression.
As the number of people affected by gambling addiction rises, more and more healthcare professionals are evaluating patients for gambling disorders. The evaluation of gambling behavior in a medical setting may help to identify individuals who need further assessment for other health-related behaviours with addictive potential, such as tobacco use, alcohol misuse, depression, suicidal thoughts and poor physical health.