Gambling involves betting something of value on a random event with the intent of winning something else of value, where instances of strategy are discounted. It can be as simple as placing a bet on a sporting event or as complex as playing slot machines. While most people participate in gambling for entertainment, a significant subset of individuals develop problematic gambling behaviors that cause negative personal, family, and financial consequences.
While many think that casinos are one-man shows, they’re actually very complex businesses that employ a large number of people — from dealers to odds compilers and public relations staff. Casinos are not just fun places to play, but they contribute a substantial amount of money and taxes into the economies of countries where they operate.
Gambling is a worldwide activity and has been shown to be a major source of revenue for governments, cities, and states. However, the growing role of evaluating patients within primary care settings for addictive disorders raises concerns about the potential for gambling problems to go unnoticed and untreated. The current state of knowledge regarding the relationship between gambling and health includes a growing body of research on pathological gambling. This article focuses on the rationale for viewing this behavior as an addiction, the effects of gambling on health, and the importance of screening for and treating problem gambling. We also discuss some of the limitations in measuring the benefits and costs of gambling.