Preventing Gambling Addiction
Gambling is the wagering of something of value (such as money, goods, services or property) on an event whose outcome is determined by chance or luck. Its psychological components include risk, hope and an anticipated prize. Gambling is considered a recreational activity for most people, but a small group of individuals become addicted to gambling and suffer negative personal, social and financial consequences as a result.
The most common forms of gambling are casino games, sports betting, lottery and scratch-off tickets. Other gambling activities are bingo, dead pool, pull-tab games and Mahjong. Some religious groups, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, forbid gambling. Many states have legalized gambling. The practice can raise revenue for state and local governments. However, in inflation-adjusted dollars, gambling revenues have only modestly increased over the past decade. The number of casinos has grown, but these new venues can cannibalize existing casino revenues and lead to overcrowding and higher prices.
Despite the popular perception that gambling is all about winning money, research has shown that there are a variety of motives for gambling. Some people gamble to escape boredom or stress, while others do it for the social rewards and intellectual challenge. For most people, however, the real attraction is the prospect of a big win. Gambling activates the brain’s reward system, producing a dopamine rush similar to that produced by taking illegal drugs.
Although gambling is a highly profitable industry, the odds are that most people will lose some of their bets. This fact makes gambling a dangerous addiction. However, there are a few things that can help prevent gambling addiction: Never gamble with money you need to pay bills or rent. Always have disposable income available for entertainment and avoid putting yourself in situations where you may lose control. If you decide to gamble, only do so with a fixed amount of money and never more than you can afford to lose.
If you gamble, expect to lose some of your money and do not try to make back the money you lost. Never chase your losses. This is called the “gambler’s fallacy,” and it occurs when you start thinking that you are due for a big win and can get your money back by continuing to play. It is also important to tip your dealers, but never in cash; use chips only. The casinos have a large staff to service customers and they need to be rewarded for their efforts. This is especially true for cocktail waitresses, so be sure to give them a $1-$5 chip each time they come around. They will remember you and treat you better for it. This will help you have a much more enjoyable experience and you’ll be less likely to feel tempted to gamble beyond your limit.
