Gambling involves staking something of value on a random event with the hope of winning money or goods. It ranges from a lottery ticket or a game of street magic box to sophisticated casino gambling where skill is used. Gambling contributes a substantial percentage to the GDP of many countries and is common among societal idlers who might otherwise engage in illegal activities like assaults, burglaries, robberies, drug peddling etc.
The media often portrays gambling as fun, sexy, glamorous and fashionable and people often use it to be social and have some excitement. However, people can also become addicted to gambling and experience negative consequences as a result.
A variety of models have been advanced to explain pathological gambling, including a general theory of addictions, the reward deficiency syndrome and behavioral-environmental reasons. These models are important because they can help determine intervention and research strategies, public opinion and policy decisions, and the self-perceptions of pathological gamblers themselves.
This article focuses on the behavioral-environmental model of gambling and its relation to the mood disorders, particularly depression, which is frequently associated with gambling. Symptoms of mood disorders can be caused by and made worse by compulsive gambling, so it is important for people with these symptoms to seek treatment for them. Additionally, it is important to address the underlying cause of gambling problems so that individuals can find healthier and more effective ways to relieve boredom and unpleasant emotions without turning to gambling.
