Gambling is an activity in which you place a bet with the hope of winning something. This can include purchasing lottery tickets, playing poker, or betting on sports games.
But it can also be dangerous for your mental health, and can cause problems in your relationships with others. Learn how to recognize gambling addiction and seek help.
Legality
State laws differ, but generally speaking a person engages in gambling when they risk something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under their control or influence. This excludes bona fide business transactions valid under the law of contracts, such as purchases at a future date of securities or commodities, contracts of indemnity or guaranty and life, health or accident insurance.
The US federal government has passed several laws that regulate gambling. Some are designed to prevent shady gambling operations, such as the Travel Act and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). UIGEA requires payment companies to block payments that are considered illegal in the country where the gambler is located.
However, these measures do not always stop illegal gambling. In fact, they may encourage the activity by introducing competition. States that allow legalized gambling usually have strict zoning regulations to keep casinos and other gaming establishments away from schools and residential areas.
Symptoms
Gambling can go from a harmless diversion to a serious problem that interferes with work, family, and finances. It is important to seek treatment for gambling problems before they escalate into a full-blown addiction. Symptoms include lying to cover up gambling losses; spending more time on gambling than intended; spending money that cannot be afforded; and using gambling to escape personal problems or distressing feelings.
People with gambling disorders often have mood disorders such as depression, stress, and anxiety that can trigger or make the problem worse. Therapy can help people with these mood disorders find healthier and more effective ways to self-soothe unpleasant emotions and relieve boredom, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, or practicing relaxation techniques.
Pathological gambling can have significant financial consequences, including large debts and lost income. It can also lead to health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and insomnia. People who are addicted to gambling are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and be sleep-deprived than those without a gambling disorder.
Treatment
If you have a friend who suffers from pathological gambling, you can offer support by talking to them. This will help them recognize the seriousness of their problem and might motivate them to seek professional help. You should try to find a private, distraction-free space where you can meet with them and have an open conversation. Psychotherapy, including techniques such as motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy, can help people overcome their urges to gamble.
Prevention strategies that aim to reduce the supply of gambling opportunities are effective in reducing gambling participation. However, social campaigns and educational interventions have not been found to be effective. More specific interventions that focus on skills, relationships and attitudes seem to be more promising.
Family counseling can also be helpful. Avoid lending money to friends who have been gambling, as this can backfire and encourage them to keep gambling. Instead, you can try to help them by offering emotional support and encouraging them to spend time doing other activities.
Prevention
Various interventions and strategies can be used to prevent gambling. These interventions can be universal, selective, or indicated and target gamblers, potential gamblers, or the wider community. They may involve educational programs, training, awareness raising, and vigilance. They may also include specialized pharmacological treatments or self-help groups. The outcomes of these programs may include increased knowledge, fewer erroneous ideas, changes in perceptions, or more responsible gambling behavior.
Prevention initiatives can be implemented at the local level. For example, limiting the number of gambling venues or regulating their operating hours can reduce access to gambling activities. It is also possible to limit the availability of betting machines and gambling websites. However, it is important to consider the repercussions of these policies. Moreover, these interventions can be combined with other strategies to maximize their effect. For instance, prohibiting youth gambling is effective, but it requires strict monitoring and sensitization of families and parents. In addition, some studies indicate that precommitment and self-exclusion are effective.