Gambling is the risking of something of value, such as money or property, on an event that has a random outcome. Unlike skill-based games, such as video and mobile phone gaming, where knowledge can improve one’s chances of winning, gambling is a pure chance event. Although most people who gamble do so for fun and social reasons, a small percentage of individuals develop gambling problems that can have serious personal and financial consequences. The most common form of gambling is the lottery but other forms include sports betting, casino games (e.g., slot machines), and card games.
The scientific literature on gambling focuses on a variety of topics, from the psychology of risk-taking to the economics of the gambling industry. While there is agreement that gambling involves impulsiveness, it is difficult to determine whether or not impulse control problems in general or specific facets of a person’s character contribute to their propensity for a gambling disorder. In addition to impulsivity, research has also examined the role of other factors in the development of gambling disorders, including sensation-seeking and novelty-seeking. Zuckerman’s theory of sensation-seeking suggests that gambling may be a way to experience various kinds of stimulation. Cloninger’s theory of personality suggests that individuals who are more prone to sensation-seeking and impulsivity may be attracted to gambling.
Because of the difficulty in determining whether or not gambling is an addictive activity, many researchers have proposed different criteria for diagnosing problem gambling. The ten criteria that were finally agreed upon by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition include damage or disruption, loss of control, withdrawal symptoms, preoccupation with gambling, and dependence. These criteria are intended to reflect a wide range of behaviors and emotions that are associated with problem gambling, but they do not provide complete coverage because individual occurrences of these behaviors vary.
Some researchers have argued that some aspects of gambling should be considered as separate from the concept of addiction, including recreational interest, diminished mathematical skills, poor judgment, cognitive distortions, and mental illness. Others have argued that these issues are part of the same phenomenon, and should be discussed as a whole. In addition, research scientists, psychiatrists, and other treatment care clinicians often frame questions about gambling in terms of their disciplinary training and world views. These perspectives may influence the nomenclature used to describe gambling disorders. This asymmetry has created some confusion and conflict over the definition of gambling problems. Consequently, a consensus on a standard nomenclature for these issues is unlikely to be reached in the near future. However, a standard definition may prove useful in promoting consistency and clarity in how these problems are described and evaluated.
