What Is Gambling?

Gambling is the staking of something of value (money or material goods) on an uncertain event. It can be legal or illegal and includes lotteries, casino gambling, online gaming, sports betting and other activities.

People who gamble can be at risk of harm. Harms include loss of control, relationships breakdown, mental illness and poverty as gambling can divert spending on essential needs such as food and housing.

What is gambling?

Gambling involves risking something of value – money, material goods, or status – on an event with an uncertain outcome. This includes betting on sporting events, purchasing lottery tickets, casino games such as card and dice games, video poker and slot machines, online gambling, betting on virtual sports or horse races, and playing keno or bingo. Gambling is often legal, and governments regulate its vendors and profits. A clear definition of gambling is critical to create effective legal regulations that protect consumers and prevent exploitation.

Global gambling revenue is increasing rapidly. This is driven by commercialization, digitalization, and promotion (e.g. sponsorship and colocation with popular sporting leagues). The prevalence of gambling is also influenced by the relative ease of uptake – especially for high-intensity products such as EGMs, and by the failure of existing health promotion interventions to reduce harm. The use of so-called “dark nudges” to encourage the consumption of harmful products can be countered by universal pre-commitment systems that require people to set binding limits on time and money spent gambling, alongside centralized account registration and self-exclusion.

Why do people gamble?

Various reasons for people to gamble include entertainment, money, social rewards and the dream of winning. The reward of a win can give us a rush of dopamine, which is linked to our brain’s reward system. This can elevate mood, distract from stressful life events and even make us feel good.

But gambling can be a serious problem for some people, harming their relationships, work or study performance, and leaving them in debt. It can also lead to addiction, illness and even death.

Research shows that some ethnic groups are at greater risk of developing gambling problems. For this reason, we carried out a mixed-methods research project to understand the reasons why people gamble and how gambling fits into their lives. We interviewed 131 people broadly representative of Maori, Pacific, Asian and Pakeha/New Zealand European communities living in New Zealand. They were asked about their gambling habits and experiences, and how these relate to the risks of gambling.

What are the risks of gambling?

Gambling-related harms can include family, relationship and mental health problems, financial stress, addiction and suicide. Harm can be caused by all types of gambling and affects people from all socio-economic backgrounds. Harms can also persist across generations.

While many people who gamble do not develop gambling problems, compulsive or pathological gambling can cause serious harm. People with this disorder may chase bets and spend more money than they have, hide their spending habits or even resort to theft or fraud to fund their addiction.

Effective prevention strategies, including public awareness campaigns, education initiatives and early intervention programs that target high-risk groups can reduce the likelihood of individuals developing problem gambling. Policies like universal pre-commitment (requiring people to set binding loss limits) and self-exclusion systems can also help limit access to gambling venues.

How can I stop gambling?

Gambling can be hard to stop, especially if you’ve been putting your life on hold for gambling. But you can take steps to reduce your risks and break your addiction. Talk to someone who can help, such as a family member, friend or a professional counsellor. Reduce risk factors by reducing your financial exposure, such as using credit cards and keeping large sums of money on you. Find other recreational activities and hobbies to occupy your time, such as reading or art therapy.

Recognize warning signs, such as lying about how much you gamble, the need to increase the amount you bet or the urge to gamble at times when you are stressed or upset. Seek help for yourself or a loved one who has a gambling disorder. Consider attending a support group for families, such as Gam-Anon. Consider the costs of gambling, including strained relationships, financial hardships and a diminished quality of life. You can also learn coping techniques, such as postponing gambling or distracting yourself with another activity.