Gambling is playing a game of chance. It is betting money or some other valuable on the outcome of a game, contest, or other event. There are many different forms of gambling, from betting on horses at the track to playing bingo at the community center. Most adults who gamble are social gamblers. This means their gambling typically occurs with friends or colleagues and lasts for a limited period of time, with predetermined, acceptable losses. (For example, friends who get together to play cards once a month for minor amounts of money.) Social gambling has little or no adverse effects on one's personal, family, or vocational pursuits. However, many people begin to lose control of their gambling and may become either problem or pathological gamblers.
Problem or Pathological Gambling
The following behaviors are used to diagnose problem or pathological gambling. When fewer than five of these behaviors are present, the diagnosis is problem gambling. If five or more of the behaviors are present, the diagnosis is pathological gambling. A problem or pathological gambler:
While many forms of gambling are lawful for adults, minors should be strongly discouraged from taking part in any gambling behavior.,
Youth Gambling: Who Gambles and Why
There is growing concern about youth gambling in this country. Adolescents are at particular risk of developing problems with gambling, leading to behavior that disrupts their family, friendships, and school performance. According to several studies summarized in Youth Gambling International, gambling is the most popular high-risk activity among teenagers. Between 4 and 6 percent of teens may be considered probable pathological gamblers and an additional 10 to 15 percent are considered at-risk of developing a gambling problem. In 1999, the National Gambling Impact Commission Study indicated that 7.9 million American adults were problem or pathological gamblers.
According to research, money is not the main reason that adolescents gamble. They gamble:
Gambling is seen as a gateway behavior, leading to other youth behavior problems such as alcohol and drug use, delinquency, and home and school problems. In addition, those who begin gambling before the age of nineteen are more likely to become adults with a gambling problem.
Refusal Skills Students can apply the same refusal skills they've learned for avoiding tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, and other high-risk behaviors to gambling. These include:
In many cases, the best option is to avoid gambling situations entirely. Students can avoid people they know take part in gambling activities, avoid parties where gambling is likely to occur, and spend time with friends who share their values.