The Psychology of Gambling

Gambling has a long history, and many cultures around the world have created their own forms of gambling. Research is shedding light on the psychology of gambling, including how it affects our brains and what factors may make people susceptible to developing problem gambling.

Gambling involves putting a wager on something uncertain, such as the outcome of a game or event. It can be a game of chance, such as the flip of a coin or rolling a dice, or it can be based on skill, such as a sport, profession or event. Some people develop a problem with gambling, which is called compulsive gambling or pathological gambling, and it can have serious consequences for their lives and those of their families.

There are a number of warning signs that someone may be becoming a compulsive gambler: (1) thinking about gambling all the time; (2) putting more money into gambling than they can afford to lose; (3) lying to family members or their therapist to conceal the extent of their involvement in gambling; (4) stealing and embezzling to finance gambling; and (5) jeopardizing a relationship, job, or education opportunity because of gambling. Compulsive gambling is considered a mental health disorder and is treated with professional help.

When it comes to gambling, always start with a fixed amount that you are willing to lose and stick to it. Never take out an ATM card or credit to gamble with, and be sure to tip your casino dealers (either in cash or by placing a chip on the table next to their name). Also, don’t chase your losses; think about it like buying insurance: you can’t always get back what you’ve lost.