Gambling is the act of placing a bet on something with an uncertain outcome, such as a football match or a scratchcard. It can give people a sense of excitement and euphoria, but it also comes with risk – you can win money, but you can also lose it.
There are many reasons why people gamble, including social, financial and emotional. Some gamble for fun, or to get a rush and feel good, while others do it to improve their finances or change their lifestyles. But, as our Safeguarding Training Courses explain, gambling is addictive and can cause serious problems for vulnerable adults.
Some people can walk away from the table or slot machine after a few rounds, enjoying their time in the twinkly casino and dreaming about what they’ll do with their jackpot winnings. But others can’t, and this is when things start to go wrong.
Research suggests that people who are more likely to develop a gambling problem have low self-control and have a higher impulsiveness. It is also thought that they have less activation of their prefrontal cortex, which regulates impulses and is responsible for controlling behaviour.
Other factors that may contribute to gambling addiction include an inability to delay gratification and a desire to avoid regret. In addition, gambling can be a way to distract yourself from unpleasant emotions or situations such as boredom or loneliness. However, there are healthier ways to relieve these feelings, such as exercise, spending time with friends who don’t gamble and relaxation techniques.
In order to reduce your gambling risk, you should always set a budget for how much you can afford to spend and never use money that you need for basic living expenses. It’s also a good idea to stick to this budget, even if you win! This helps you to avoid the ‘gambler’s fallacy’, which is when you think you are due a win and try to recoup your losses.
It’s also important to keep in mind that there is no one definition of what constitutes a gambling problem. This is because researchers, psychiatrists and other treatment care professionals have different paradigms or world views from which to consider gambling, and these can influence how they frame the issue.
Finally, you should remember that gambling is not a lucrative way to make money and it can be extremely dangerous for those with mental health issues. If you are worried about your own gambling habits or the gambling habits of a vulnerable adult, there is help and support available. The National Council for Responsible Gambling provides information on the risks of gambling, and their website includes tips for responsible betting and information on how to access help services. You can also find out more by visiting the Gambling Commission website. This site has helpful fact sheets for children, parents and teachers and a parent-focused resource called Know the Score. There are also links to local organisations that can provide help and advice.