Gambling is an activity in which you risk something of value (money, property or personal items) on the outcome of a contest. Examples of gambling include betting on football matches or buying scratchcards. Whether it’s an enjoyable pastime or a pathological behaviour, gambling has been associated with serious health risks, including addiction and mental illness. It is important that healthcare professionals are aware of the potential impact of gambling on their patients and the importance of screening for problem or pathological gambling.
Some people gamble to feel better about themselves when they are depressed or to distract themselves from other problems. But there are healthier ways to relieve unpleasant feelings or boredom, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, taking up a new hobby or relaxing techniques. It’s also important to know when you need help and seek it if needed.
Pathological gambling can be treated with counselling, psychotherapy and medications. However, some people with problem or pathological gambling do not seek treatment and may continue to gamble in spite of negative consequences.
Unlike some types of drugs, gambling is widely legal and readily available. This has led to a rise in the number of people experiencing addictions. This is partly because gambling can be highly addictive, but it is also linked to other mental health conditions and lifestyle factors.
Research has shown that gambling can have many positive effects, but also negative impacts on individuals and society. Some of the most important positive impacts are social, which can help improve self-esteem and increase happiness. However, other negative impacts are financial, which can lead to a precarious financial situation and money-related stress.
In addition, some communities and charities are dependent on gambling revenues for their survival and this can create competition between different organisations. This can have an adverse effect on charitable gambling activities and reduce donations.
Negative economic impacts of gambling are related to the expansion of casinos and competition for workers in the hospitality industry. Small businesses can be particularly affected by increased competition, as their costs increase and they are unable to attract staff. This can be a significant burden for some communities, especially those with high levels of problem gambling.
The aim of this review was to analyse the evidence on the relationship between gambling behaviors and health, with a particular focus on pathological gambling. We searched the medline database (1966 to present) using the MeSH terms “gambling” and “health”. Studies were included if they: