Gambling is a form of risk-taking in which a person stakes something of value (like money) for the chance to win something else of value. It is usually done for entertainment, but can also be a way to socialise or relieve boredom. People may gamble at casinos, racetracks, or online. A person can be addicted to gambling, which has a negative impact on their personal and financial life. Counselling can help individuals think about why they gamble, how it affects their family and relationships, and find ways to break the habit.
This article uses data from the long-term ALSPAC (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children) cohort to examine the development of gambling behaviour. Participants completed computer-administered gambling surveys at age 17 years, 20 years and 24 years. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation techniques. Analysis based on complete cases is prone to biases due to attrition, and it is possible that the prevalence of gambling behaviour was underestimated.
Previous research has shown that monetary rewards, such as winning money in a casino, activate a specific region of the brain called the striatum. This reward circuit is also activated by natural reinforcers, such as food and sexual stimuli, and by drugs of abuse like cocaine. This suggests that the appeal of gambling is linked to the reward circuit and may be part of a wider addictive pattern. People who are addicted to gambling often feel they need to gamble more to get the same “high”. This can have psychological, emotional and financial costs.