Gambling is an activity where an item of value, such as a currency, a vehicle or a home, is put at risk in order to gain something else of higher value. Although gambling is a popular form of recreation, it also has serious consequences. Some individuals develop a gambling problem that can cause a negative impact on their lives, health and relationships. Others experience a hidden addiction that does not show outward signs or symptoms. Despite the risks, many people enjoy gambling, from a few bets on their favourite team or horse race to an entire casino getaway with friends.
Gambling triggers a brain response, similar to alcohol and drugs, which causes the body to produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes people feel good. Individuals who gamble more often may become addicted to the feeling of a rush and a high, causing them to bet larger amounts of money in order to feel the same pleasure again. This can lead to a cycle of debt, which may lead to bankruptcy and homelessness.
While there are a variety of impacts associated with gambling, some can be structuralized using a conceptual model. The model identifies the benefits and costs of gambling, with each class affecting different levels of an individual or group. Financial impacts include changes in finances, such as income, debt and savings. Labor impacts affect work, including the effects of gambling on employment and labor supply, while health and well-being impacts involve personal and societal/community/social level influences on the gambler and his or her family members.