Gambling is a form of play in which something of value is staked on an event that has the potential to yield a prize. This is not limited to casinos and racetracks, but also occurs in many other settings such as gas stations, church halls, sporting events or on the Internet. Gambling involves consideration, risk and a prize (or reward).
People gamble because they want to have fun, but there are other ways to have fun without gambling. People can try to self-soothe unpleasant emotions, socialize and relieve boredom in healthier ways such as exercise, spending time with friends who do not gamble or practicing relaxation techniques.
Gambling can have negative social impacts, but these are difficult to quantify. Most studies have focused on economic costs and benefits, which are easy to measure, and have ignored social impacts that are invisible or intangible. For instance, the social cost of gambling could be derived from quality of life weights, such as those used in health-related research to calculate disability weights [37].
If you have a family member who has a problem with gambling, reach out for support. Family members can help manage a loved one’s money to prevent them from gambling and to set boundaries in managing their credit and other financial resources. They can also encourage the family member to seek treatment and support groups for their gambling addiction, which are often available at local churches, community centers and mental health clinics.