Gambling is an activity in which participants wager something of value, such as money or property, on an uncertain event whose outcome is determined by chance. It can be conducted with cash, goods, services or anything else that has a monetary value and can be used for stakes in games of chance or skill such as games of marbles, pogs or collectible trading cards (such as Magic: The Gathering). It can also be done with virtual currency or items such as computer chips, electronic devices, digital tokens or online accounts.
Gamblers can experience both positive and negative effects. Positive impacts include leisure time, income, and social interaction. Negative impacts include gambling-related debt and financial problems, addiction, and mental illness. Gambling can also have a negative effect on the economy when the money gamblers spend is not redirected to productive activities such as employment or public services.
Despite the extensive literature on the harms of gambling, methodological issues and barriers to data collection limit the available research in this area. Most of the existing studies focus on monetary aspects of gambling, whereas the social and emotional consequences have received less attention. Research on gambling needs to be refocused and focused on filling gaps in knowledge, including costs and benefits at the personal, interpersonal, and community/society levels.
