Gambling is a form of entertainment where people place bets on something that has an element of chance in its outcome, such as sports events, casino games, lottery tickets, cards, scratchcards, or virtual events. It is considered a form of addiction because it can have both short- and long-term financial, psychological, social, and family consequences.

The term gambling is generally applied to activities involving a high degree of risk and a significant chance of losing money or material goods, although some games of chance may be played for free and without monetary value (e.g., some online poker). There are many forms of gambling, from traditional games like horse racing and bridge to more modern offerings such as internet-based games and electronic slot machines. Some people gamble for social reasons, for example, to win a jackpot and change their lifestyle, while others do it for fun and enjoy the rush or “high” they get from betting.

It is important to understand the risks involved in gambling and how to prevent them, but it is equally vital that those with a problem seek treatment. There are a variety of options available, including individual and group counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and family therapy. Treatment can help a person confront irrational beliefs, such as the belief that a series of losses or close calls signals an impending big win. It can also teach people to set money and time limits for their gambling activity, as well as to recognise when they are chasing losses.

Until recently, the understanding of pathological gambling (PG) has been shaped by various perspectives, which are often informed by a range of theories and assumptions. These have included the notion that PG is a result of recreational interests, poor judgment, cognitive distortions, mental illness, moral turpitude, or a combination of these factors. Moreover, different groups of observers – research scientists, psychiatrists and other treatment care clinicians, as well as members of the public – tend to frame questions about gambling in a manner that is constrained by their particular disciplinary background, training and world view.

In recent years, researchers have begun to use longitudinal designs for examining the effects of gambling. These studies allow for the identification of causal relationships over a prolonged period, thus helping to avoid the problems associated with cross-sectional data sets. However, longitudinal studies in the gambling field are still rare because they are expensive and complicated to conduct. There are many barriers that need to be overcome before they can become more commonplace. These include the need for massive funding, a long-term commitment to maintaining a research team, difficulties with sample attrition over a prolonged period, and the awareness that longitudinal data can confound age and period effects (e.g., does a person’s increased interest in gambling coincide with turning 18, when he or she is legally allowed to participate?). Nevertheless, the utility of longitudinal data makes such studies worthwhile. They are also the best way to investigate a range of societal and health-related issues that require a longer perspective than is possible with a single study design.