As more and more ways to gamble emerge, it can be difficult to determine what counts as gambling. Traditionally, gambling is an activity in which money or possessions are at risk and there is an element of luck or chance involved. People can bet on sports, horse races, lottery games, scratch tickets, and even online poker.
While some people have no problems with gambling, others develop a serious addiction. Typically, this happens in individuals who have low incomes or those who are more likely to be impulsive or thrill-seeking. It can also occur in young people or those who live with a family member who has a gambling disorder.
Regardless of the reason, gambling can cause a variety of negative consequences. These effects are categorized on three levels: personal, interpersonal and community/society. The personal and interpersonal level impacts are nonmonetary and affect those closest to the gambler, such as friends and family members. They can include a lack of time, conflict and resentment as well as the loss of money.
The community/societal level includes the impact of gambling on the economy and other industries. It can also include costs related to problem gambling and the overall impact on health and well-being. These externalities are often difficult to measure and largely overlooked in calculations.