Gambling is any activity in which a person stakes something of value, such as money or possessions, on the chance of winning something else of greater value. While some people consider gambling harmless fun or a way to pass the time, for others it becomes an addiction. Gambling can affect people of all ages, races and socioeconomic status. Adolescents, veterans, and people in the Latino and Asian communities are at higher risk for developing problems related to gambling.
Many forms of gambling exist, including the lottery, casino games (e.g., slots), sports betting, and online gambling. While there are some differences in how addictive these activities can be, they all share some common elements:
The positive impact of gambling includes the revenue it generates for communities and entertainment it provides. It also stimulates the brain, and can lead to a sense of excitement and suspense.
For some, the thrill of gambling may provide a needed escape from worries, boredom or other negative emotions. They may also be attracted to the social interaction and entertainment that is available when they gamble.
The negative impacts of gambling include financial harms, emotional distress and conflicts with family and friends. These effects can be at the individual, interpersonal or community/society levels. Some of the most important issues are how gambling harms are measured and reported. Typically, researchers focus on measuring economic costs and benefits, which are readily quantifiable, while neglecting social and psychological impacts.