The act of gambling involves staking something of value on an uncertain outcome of a game or contest. It is a popular form of entertainment and recreation and can be conducted with real money or non-money items of value. It is also a serious problem for many people and has been associated with a variety of consequences. Some gamblers become criminals, run up large debts and damage their relationships with family and friends. Some even kill themselves. In addition, there are a number of gambling-related problems that can arise in the workplace and in the home. The term “pathological gambling” has been used to describe these severe difficulties. Pathological gamblers have been characterized as having difficulty controlling their impulses and have exhibited a variety of symptoms, including irritability, anxiety, depression, and loss of interest in activities that are usually enjoyable.
Gambling is a major international commercial activity with an estimated annual turnover of over 400 billion dollars. The gambling industry employs a vast number of people, from dealers and odds compilers to marketers and public relations staff. The profits generated by gambling companies are substantial and the industry is not in any danger of collapse as long as people continue to play. The profitability of gambling depends on the volume of wagers and on the margins taken by the operators.
To be profitable, a gambling company must offer the public a service that is attractive enough to attract enough punters. For example, a casino should have a good selection of games and reasonable betting limits to appeal to recreational gamblers. They also need to provide good service and keep their costs down to maintain a competitive edge. For example, they should not over-staff their cocktail waitresses or provide free cocktails. They should also avoid high minimum betting limits because they will attract whales (wealthy bad players) who will drive up the cost of play.
Psychiatrists and other treatment providers have come to recognize that people with severe gambling problems are not just unlucky. In fact, there is a wide range of behavioral and psychological symptoms that suggest a serious underlying problem. These disorders are referred to as pathological gambling, and they have been described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in three editions published by the American Psychiatric Association.
There are a variety of conceptual models or theories that have been proposed to explain pathological gambling. They include a general theory of addictions, the reward deficiency syndrome, behavioral-environmental reasons, and the biopsychosocial model. These models have a significant impact on intervention and research strategies, public policy decisions, and the self-perceptions of pathological gamblers themselves.
The nomenclature used to describe these disorders is not settled and may be confusing. This is because research scientists, psychiatrists, other treatment care clinicians, and public policy makers all frame their considerations of gambling and the disorders from different paradigms or world views. In the absence of agreed-on nomenclature, it is difficult for these groups to communicate with each other.