Gambling involves risking something of value (either money or material possessions) on an uncertain event that is largely determined by chance. This uncertainty could be the roll of a dice, the spin of a roulette wheel or the outcome of a horse race. Gambling also includes betting on non-monetary events, such as playing a game of marbles or collecting collectible game pieces (such as coins and trading cards).
People gamble for many reasons, some of which can include socialization with friends, relaxation and a feeling of excitement when they win. The more complex games of casino gambling, such as blackjack, require mental stimulation and the development of strategic thinking to be successful. It is important for gamblers to ensure that they only use money that they are willing to lose, and not the money that they need to pay bills and live on.
Research on the impact of gambling has largely focused on financial costs and benefits, as these are easily quantifiable. However, ignoring other social impacts can lead to a distorted understanding of the impact of gambling. Williams et al. [32] define a social impact as being ‘that which aggregates societal real wealth, causes harm to someone in society and benefits no one, or which detracts from the overall quality of life’. Filling in these gaps in knowledge will help to improve the overall picture of gambling and allow for a balanced approach to policy making. For more information on how to understand the complexities of gambling and what steps you can take to prevent it, please visit this page.
