A form of risk-taking, gambling involves the exchange of money or valuable goods for an outcome that is determined at least partly by chance. It also includes activities in which skill may improve the odds of winning. Examples include betting on horse races, card games, and other casino-style games such as bingo, dead pool, and pull-tab games.
Research has shown that gambling is associated with a number of behavioral problems, including increased stress, depression, and anxiety. Problem gamblers are more likely to lie, steal, and use drugs or alcohol. They also have higher suicide rates than those who do not have a gambling disorder.
The understanding of gambling disorders has undergone a significant change in the past few decades. It has been moved from the subset of impulse-control disorders to its own mental health condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association, a classification that is similar to the one given to people who are addicted to alcohol or other drugs.
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should seek help: