How Gambling Can Affect Your Health and Well-Being
Gambling is when people risk something of value to predict the outcome of an event that relies on chance, such as scratchcards or fruit machines, betting with friends, or a lottery. If they predict correctly, they win money; if they are wrong, they lose money. People gamble for a variety of reasons: to win prizes, for entertainment, or even as a way of escaping their daily problems. But when gambling becomes problematic, it can have serious consequences for the health and well-being of the person involved.
The underlying reason behind problem gambling is that, like all addictions, it changes the way that the brain works. When you get a winning streak, the brain releases dopamine, which makes you feel good and reinforces more skillful behaviour. But when you’re losing, the brain releases cortisol, which triggers stress and discourages more skillful actions. This is why you need to stay away from gambling when your emotions are running high, and never chase your losses. This is called the gambling fallacy and it leads to you thinking that you’re due for a big win and that you can make back all your losses if you keep playing.
Another important factor is that the gambling industry trades on people’s vulnerability. They know that some people are more vulnerable to temptation than others, and they make sure that they have a big jackpot or prize on offer in order to lure people into their premises. They also exploit a range of cognitive biases that distort people’s perceptions of the odds on various events and make them prefer certain types of gambles.
People with low incomes are particularly susceptible to gambling problems, because they have more to lose than those with more to gain. Young people, especially boys and men, are also more likely to develop gambling disorder. In fact, up to 5% of teenagers and young adults who gamble develop a gambling disorder. This is because they tend to be more adventurous and take greater risks than older people.
Moreover, gambling appeals to covetousness and greed and enthrones personal desires above God’s will (Colossians 3:5). It is a form of idolatry that violates the first, second and 10 commandments of the Bible.
In addition to avoiding gambling, those concerned about their or a loved one’s addiction should seek help and support. This can be done by strengthening their support network, attending a peer support group, such as Gamblers Anonymous, or by seeking professional counselling. People with gambling disorders are at a much higher risk of suicide than the general population, so it’s vital that they receive the support and help they need as soon as possible.