Gambling is a form of risk-taking, where an individual puts something of value at stake in the hope of gaining more than they spent. This activity is regulated by law in most states, with laws defining the type of gambling that is legal in their state. Although a lot of people think that gambling is purely an entertainment activity, it is also a major contributor to the economies of many countries. In fact, it is said that a certain percentage of the GDP of all developed and developing countries come from the gambling industry.
In the United States, for example, the majority of the state governments run some type of lottery to raise money and develop their communities. This has become a popular source of funding, with some states using the proceeds from the lottery to fund education and other public services. Others use the funds for broader social purposes, including paying off debt and improving public infrastructure. While these are all positive impacts of gambling, some studies have overlooked the negative effects that can be experienced by gamblers and their families. The negative impacts are generally referred to as social impacts, and the main challenge in studying them is that they cannot be easily quantified.
These effects manifest at the personal, interpersonal and community/societal levels (Fig. 1). Personal impacts influence gamblers themselves and their significant others, while interpersonal impacts affect people close to the gambler and community/societal impacts concern everyone. Some examples of these include financial problems like escalating debt, loss of income and resulting social care costs; family strains, relationships and conflicts; and increased criminal activities like assaults, burglaries and robberies.
Research on the causes of gambling has largely focused on psychological and behavioral aspects. Specifically, scientists have studied the role of certain hormones in gambling and investigated brain regions involved in reward processing and impulse control. In addition, there is some evidence that individuals may be genetically predisposed to risk-taking and thrill-seeking behaviours. Furthermore, research into the brain’s neural pathways has shown that some individuals are able to concentrate better than others, which can contribute to their gambling success.
Lastly, a person’s culture can have a strong influence on their perception of gambling. For instance, some cultures consider gambling to be a normal pastime, which can make it difficult for them to recognize when it becomes problematic. This can also have a negative impact on their mental health, especially if they are suffering from an addiction. In such cases, it is recommended to seek help from a trusted individual. This could be a friend or family member, or even a professional counsellor. Alternatively, a person can also look into alternative recreational and leisure activities to help overcome their gambling addiction. They should also try to reduce financial risk factors and avoid gambling venues when possible. Finally, it is important to remember that the struggle with a gambling problem can take time and effort, so it is advisable for them to set short-term and long-term goals to achieve their recovery.