Gambling involves wagering money or other valuables on a random event with an uncertain outcome. People gamble to win money or something else of value, such as a prize in a lottery or by playing cards or scratchcards. The term ‘gambling’ also refers to activities in which skill can influence the outcome, such as sports betting or horse racing (Bruce and Johnson, 1996).
Whether or not you gamble, your brain is still affected by some of the same factors that may lead to problem gambling behaviour, including impulsivity and the tendency to seek out sensation-and novelty-seeking experiences. In addition, some individuals are genetically predisposed to gambling problems – research suggests that certain genes affect how the brain processes reward and impulse control, and thus how likely they are to become involved in gambling.
Your environment and community can also influence how much you gamble, how often you gamble, and whether you develop problematic gambling behaviour. These influences may include your perception of gambling as a legitimate pastime, how available gambling services are in your area and how well they are regulated. They also include your shared thoughts or values about gambling, such as the belief that it is normal to gamble, or the assumption that others will understand how much you gamble and won’t be able to tell if you have a problem.
When you gamble, your brain releases dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter, and this can make you excited about the possibility of winning. But this excitement is short-lived and the chances of winning are extremely low – in fact, you’re more likely to lose your money than win it. As soon as you start thinking that you’re due for a big win or are about to ‘chase your losses’ and recoup your lost money, stop gambling. This is called the ‘gambler’s fallacy’.
