Gambling involves wagering something of value on an event that is based on chance and has no element of skill or strategy. It can take many forms, from the roll of a dice or spin of a roulette wheel to the outcome of a horse race or lottery drawing. Some governments have laws and regulations governing gambling.
Some people gamble for social reasons, for example, by visiting a casino with friends. They enjoy the thrill of betting on a team or a game, and they like thinking about what they will do if they win. Others are more concerned with the financial benefits of gambling, such as gaining wealth or changing their lifestyle through winning money. Some people are genetically predisposed to thrill-seeking behaviours and impulsivity, which can lead to problem gambling.
While gambling may bring in profits, it can also have negative impacts on a person’s life. These can be at a personal level, interpersonal level, or society/community level. The individual-level impacts include invisible costs that gamblers are unaware of. Interpersonal impacts include petty theft from family members, illicit lending, and abuse. Among problem gamblers, pathological gambling is associated with domestic violence and homicide [12]. The community/society-level impacts include visible costs that are paid by other individuals and can be exploited by gambling companies. These include general costs, costs related to problem gambling, and long-term cost/benefits.
