Gambling is an activity in which a person risks something of value, such as money or property, on an uncertain outcome. It can include activities such as betting on sports events, horse races or political elections, playing card games and other board games, and playing collectible game pieces (such as marbles or Magic: The Gathering cards). Some gambling is done legally in regulated settings while some is not. Different countries have different laws governing gambling and the definition of what constitutes a gamble. Defining what counts as gambling helps create effective regulations and prevent exploitation.
A person who has a gambling problem may have difficulty stopping the behavior even when it is causing them significant financial or personal problems. They may continue to gamble in secret, lie about how much they are spending, or increase their bets in a bid to win back the money they have lost. They may also experience anxiety or depression, which can make it harder to control their urges.
The underlying causes of problem gambling can be complex, but there are a number of things that people can do to help themselves break the habit. One is to seek counseling. BetterHelp is an online service that matches people with therapists who specialize in gambling addiction and other issues related to mental health. A therapist can help them understand their problem, work through the specific issues that have caused it, and make plans to overcome it.
Another way to get help is to join a support group. Various peer support programs exist for those struggling with gambling addiction, including Gamblers Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous. These groups provide a place for individuals to meet others who have similar experiences and offer guidance, encouragement and support. In addition, many states have gambling helplines and other assistance programs.
Gambling has traditionally been viewed as immoral and illegal, but in the past few decades, attitudes have changed dramatically. In fact, the understanding of gambling disorder has evolved so that it now appears in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
People with gambling disorders are now considered to have psychological problems, rather than being criminals or addicts. This change is based on research that shows a connection between gambling behavior and mental illness, and it is reflected in the broader DSM-5 changes in classifications of behavioral addictions. This new approach is more in line with how other substance-related disorders are classified, and it may lead to greater recognition of the seriousness of this type of addiction. The DSM-5 has also added a section on gambling disorder that includes information about prevalence, symptoms and treatment options. This section has been moved from the DSM-5’s Substance-Related Disorders chapter to the newly created Behavioral Addictions chapter because of its strong relationship with other forms of addiction. The new section also explains how it is different from other behavioral addictions.