Gambling is an activity in which people risk money or something else of value by making predictions about the outcome of a game of chance. It is not an activity for everyone and can cause problems if the gambler loses more than they can afford. If someone is struggling with gambling problems it’s important that they recognise the signs and know where to get help. These include spending more than they can afford, being secretive, getting into debt or feeling unable to go a week or day without gambling. It’s also important to understand that the chances of winning are very small and most people will end up losing their money.
The prevalence of gambling is rapidly increasing, driven by digitisation, increased accessibility and commercialization. In particular, high-intensity products like EGMs are becoming widely available and may be disproportionately located in communities of greater disadvantage. In addition, aggressive promotions in popular media and social settings can increase gambling uptake. These factors are also driving the rapid normalization of gambling, which may lead to harmful consequences such as financial stress, relationship breakdown, family violence, and mental illness.
There is a growing global awareness of the need to address gambling harm, including its impact on individuals and society. The international response must be comprehensive and include a range of interventions. This includes ending gambling advertising and promotion, regulating online gambling sites to ensure that self-exclusion is available, and introducing mandatory centralized account registration for those who gamble that requires them to set binding loss limits. It should also include efforts to limit access to gambling venues, particularly through restricting opening hours and limiting their density.
It is also critical to promote clear, evidence-based messages that convey the harms of gambling. These should be delivered in multiple formats, and aimed at a variety of audiences (e.g., social media, radio, TV). They should include information about the risks of gambling, how to seek help, and where to find it. These messages should be reinforced with targeted community campaigns and community-based outreach.
There is limited evidence on the underlying mechanisms of pathological gambling. However, it appears to be a behavioral addiction characterized by compulsive and impulsive behavior, as well as a lack of control over gambling activity. It is also a progressive disorder that increases over time, as well as a risk factor for a number of serious health conditions. It is also associated with poor financial and economic outcomes, such as poverty and unemployment. In some cases, it is a co-occurring disorder with substance abuse. Despite the similarities between pathological gambling and substance use disorders, it is currently classified as a separate diagnosis in the DSM. It is therefore essential to undertake rigorous studies that explore the construct validity of this disorder, as it will need strong empirical support in order to be accepted as a clinically valid diagnosis. This will require a multidisciplinary approach that integrates clinical descriptive and etiological research.
