Gambling involves risking something of value (money, property, reputation) in the hope of getting something else of greater value. It is an activity that has been a part of human society for many centuries. Although gambling is often associated with luck, it also involves skill, and knowledge of game rules can improve a player’s odds of winning. Throughout history, gambling has gone through cycles of popularity and decline. It was a major part of the culture of Mississippi riverboats and frontier towns in the 1800s, but it lost favor as moral conservatism swept the country in the early 20th century. In recent years, however, the popularity of gambling has been on the rise again. This increase has been fueled by technological advances and the growing desire for excitement.
Gambling is widely recognized as a harmful behavior that can lead to serious personal, social, and financial consequences. Individuals who have problems with gambling may be referred to a mental health professional for evaluation and treatment. In addition, some states have laws that regulate the operation of casinos and other forms of gambling.
While most individuals gamble for recreation, a small number become heavily involved in the activity and experience adverse personal, family, and financial consequences. This phenomenon is called pathological gambling.
Pathological gambling is sometimes compared to substance abuse, and the comparison has led some to suggest that it should be classified as an addiction. However, the scientific basis for considering gambling as an addiction is limited and largely theoretical. Most studies are of persons in treatment with no control groups, and the current understanding of gambling as an addictive disorder is based on behavioral and psychophysiological signs and symptoms rather than on a thorough assessment of the person’s functioning or environment.
A number of different instruments have been developed to assess the presence of pathological gambling, and several are currently available for use in clinical practice. However, the ability of any instrument to accurately identify a person as a problem gambler depends on the method of validation and interviewing technique, and the inherent strengths and weaknesses of the tool. Until more comprehensive and valid tools are developed, scientific knowledge about the prevalence of gambling as an addiction will remain limited. Until that time, researchers and clinicians should use caution when assessing an individual’s likelihood of developing pathological gambling. For example, research should focus on whether an individual’s history of problem gambling is influenced by family dynamics and socioeconomic status. It should also consider the influence of environmental stressors, genetic predisposition, and a person’s ability to use cognitive distortions in making decisions about gambling. All of these factors should be taken into account when determining an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan. For further reading on this topic, see Compulsive Gambling: Theory, Research and Practice. By H.J. Shaffer, editor; S. Stein, editor; B. Gambino, editor; and T.N. Cummings, editor. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books. 1989. pgs 35-64.