Gambling involves an exchange of real money for an uncertain outcome that is at least partly determined by chance. While most people who gamble do so responsibly and enjoy the entertainment value of the activity, a small percentage become addicted and experience substantial negative personal, social, and financial consequences. In addition, gambling has significant impacts on local economies beyond job creation and increased consumer spending.<\/p>\n
Despite the many benefits of gambling, problems can arise when an individual\u2019s use of gambling results in a distortion of their values, social relationships, and work performance. These problems can also affect those close to the person who is gambling. For example, a person who gambles excessively might lie to family and friends about their gambling or increase the amount they bet in an attempt to win back lost money.<\/p>\n
Some of the most common costs associated with gambling include financial, labor, and health and well-being. Financial impacts can be at the personal, interpersonal, or community\/society level and may include gambling revenues, tourism, and infrastructure cost or value change. Labor impacts can be related to changes in job satisfaction, absenteeism, and reduced productivity. Health and well-being impacts can be related to physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as quality of life.<\/p>\n
In the past, research scientists, psychiatrists, and other treatment care clinicians have framed questions about gambling differently, depending on their disciplinary training, world views, and special interests. The lack of an agreed-upon nomenclature has contributed to a variety of perspectives on the topic, including whether pathological gambling should be considered an addiction (see the table below). Nevertheless, evidence is growing that pathological gambling does meet diagnostic criteria for an addictive disorder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"