Gambling is the act of betting something of value on an uncertain event. Typically, the event is either a game, contest, or an uncertain outcome based on chance. Gambling games often include cards, dice, slot machines, sports betting and lotteries. The behavior of gambling can be dangerous, especially for those with addictions or mental health issues. In addition, people with these conditions may find it difficult to recognize when they are engaging in the behavior.
The Bible warns against gambling (Proverbs 23:6, Romans 1:29, and 1 Timothy 6:8). While gambling once played an important role in American culture, it lost popularity with the advent of moral conservatism in the 1800s and has since largely fallen out of favor with modern Americans. However, it is still practiced in some countries around the world, especially where the government regulates it.
As a popular, legalized activity with addictive potential, gambling has become a subject of interest for primary care researchers. However, evaluating gambling behaviors in a clinical setting can be challenging because of the varying phenomenology and definitions of gambling, as well as the lack of standardization for screening for pathological gambling. In this article, we review complementary methodologies for assessing gambling impacts, including the use of health-related quality of life weights and monetary values assigned to intangible benefits and costs. We also discuss the role of primary care clinicians in identifying patients who may be at risk for gambling addiction. Finally, we present the results of a study that evaluated the happiness effects of gambling activities in long-term care residents.