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Problematic Gambling

Problematic Gambling

Gambling is any activity where wealth changes hands on the basis of chance and without skill, effort or creativity. It includes betting, fruit machines, lotteries, casino games and scratchcards. It also includes speculating on business, insurance and stock markets. It can be a harmless fun pastime but for some people, it can cause serious problems, harming health and relationships, impacting performance at work or university, leading to debt and even homelessness. It can also contribute to depression and suicidal thoughts.

Some forms of gambling involve wagering real money, but others use materials that have value, such as marbles, Pogs, Magic: The Gathering trading cards or collectible figurines. These are known as meta-games, where players place bets on the value of their collection. There are many arguments against gambling and mainstream Christian belief has always viewed it as incompatible with Biblical teaching. It was strongly opposed by Tertullian, Hugh Latimer and John Wesley, amongst others.

The most common type of gambling is betting, where you bet on an event – it could be a football match or a scratchcard – and the odds (i.e. the chance of winning) are set by the betting company. Your choice will then be matched to these odds and you have a chance of winning if the event happens. The more you bet, the higher your chances of winning.

When you gamble, your brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel excited. Usually this is only produced when you win, but for some people, the excitement is so strong that they continue to gamble, even when they are losing. This can lead to problematic gambling, and you may not even realise that you are doing it until it is too late.

Problematic gambling is a complex issue, but there are some things you can do to help. The first step is to recognise that you have a problem, and the second is to get some help. You can find help and support from your GP, the NHS or organisations like GambleAware and BeGambleAware.

The most common reason for a person to take up gambling is money-related. Bills don’t get paid, credit card bills are maxed out and debts increase – sometimes to the point where pay day loans look like a solution but end up making things worse, and even the most careful financial management cannot stop the escalation of these problems. In some cases, a person will steal from friends or family in order to gamble, and this can have serious consequences. Debts can be cleared over time, but the damage caused to relationships and finances will often last a lifetime. For some, this can be enough to make them think that life is not worth living. If this is the case, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. This will reduce suicidal feelings and prevent the person from harming themselves or others. It will also improve their chances of getting a good night’s sleep.