Whether it’s buying a lottery ticket, placing bets on the horses or pokie machines or playing poker, gambling is an activity in which you risk money or possessions. If you predict the outcome of a random event – like winning a football match or a scratchcard – correctly, you win the prize. But the odds are usually not clear and you cannot know for sure what the chances of winning are.
Pathological gambling (PG) is a form of compulsive gambling that affects between 0.4% and 1.6% of Americans. It usually starts in adolescence or young adulthood and develops into a problem over time. Men are more likely to have a PG diagnosis than women. PG can be caused by different types of gambling, but it is more common to have a problem with strategic or face-to-face forms of gambling, such as casino games or blackjack.
Psychiatrists may be able to help people with a PG diagnosis and get them treatment. They can offer advice and support to change their behaviour and find new ways of dealing with unpleasant feelings. They can also refer them to treatment and rehabilitation programs for a more intensive approach to recovery.