Gambling is a popular pastime for many adults and adolescents, but a significant subset of people develop a gambling problem that disrupts their lives, relationships and careers. The disorder is also known as pathological gambling and is recognised as a mental health condition. Vulnerability to developing a gambling problem is highest among those with low incomes who may have more to lose, and those who are young or men.

Several different theories have been proposed to explain why some people develop gambling disorders. These include the concept of a gambling ‘addiction,’ which refers to a psychological or neurological process involving reward and punishment systems in the brain. Another theory is that some people are genetically predisposed to thrill-seeking behaviour and impulsiveness. Research shows that gambling affects the brain in a number of ways, including causing dopamine to be released, a neurotransmitter associated with excitement and happiness.

People who gamble often try to compensate for their losses by spending more and more money. This can lead to a vicious cycle that makes it difficult to break the pattern and stop. In addition, some people have a tendency to hide their gambling activities from family and friends.

Various types of therapy are available to help people overcome problems caused by gambling, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which helps change negative patterns of thought, and psychodynamic therapy, which explores unconscious processes that influence our behavior. Other types of treatment are group and family therapy, which help re-establish bonds with loved ones who have been affected by the person’s gambling.