Gambling is the betting or staking of something of value, with consciousness of risk and hope of gain, on the outcome of a game, a contest, or an uncertain event. It is considered to be an addictive behaviour, with a range of health and social problems associated with it. The Journal of Gambling Studies publishes a wide variety of research on gambling, including both controlled and pathological gambling behavior as well as the consequences that arise from it. Its articles are written by scholars from a broad cross-section of disciplines, such as psychiatry, psychology, sociology, history, economics, politics, law, and public health.
There are a hongkong prize number of things that you can do to reduce your gambling habits and improve your life. Try talking about your problem with someone who won’t judge you – this could be a family member or a counsellor. Reduce financial risk factors by paying in cash and not using credit cards when gambling. Find an alternative recreational activity or hobby to fill the gap that gambling has left in your life. It’s also a good idea to get support from people who can understand your situation, such as a friend or a gambling helpline.
Some people who gamble do not even realise that it is a problem and can deny that their behaviour has negative consequences. They may try to minimise the problem by hiding their gambling and lying about how much time or money they are spending on it.
The most common motives for people to gamble are mood change and the possibility of winning money. However, it has been shown that adolescent gamblers do not necessarily seek financial gain as their main reason for gambling; rather, they may be motivated by the social rewards of playing games and the desire to become famous for their achievements. Some young adult gamblers have reported that they began to gamble as adolescents because of family encouragement or peer pressure.
It is important to recognise that you will most likely lose money when gambling. The best way to manage this is to start with a fixed amount of money that you are prepared to spend and stick to it. Do not use money that you have set aside for bills, rent, or other essential expenses. Set your money and time limits in advance and never chase your losses – this will almost always lead to bigger and bigger losses.
Developing an effective self-management plan is the key to successfully overcoming gambling issues. A good starting point is to consider a support group, such as Gamblers Anonymous, which uses the 12-step program developed by Alcoholics Anonymous to help people overcome their gambling addictions. There are also state-based helplines and counselling services for gambling addiction. In addition, research has shown that physical activity and cognitive behavioural therapy can help people with gambling disorders. However, the most important thing is to recognise that you have a problem and to take action.
