Gambling involves wagering something of value on a random event in the hope of winning something else of value. It involves taking a risk and can be an enjoyable social activity for those who can control their spending, but it is not without its risks. People who have a gambling problem may experience deteriorating health, poor performance at work or school, family and relationship problems and can even end up homeless. Gambling can be very addictive, so it’s important to know your limits and seek help if you think you have a problem.
The definition of gambling varies by jurisdiction but typically includes wagering on games of chance, like slot machines and roulette, or sports events such as football matches, horse races and boxing. It can also include betting with money or other items of value, such as collectable game pieces (e.g. marbles or Magic: The Gathering cards), that have an intrinsic value. Some forms of gambling are not considered to be gambling, such as playing card games for small stakes with friends, or buying lottery tickets with coworkers.
Gambling is a widespread activity, and the risk of developing a gambling disorder can vary by person. For some, gambling can be a fun way to socialize and win money, but for others it can become problematic and lead to financial ruin. Problem gambling can affect a person’s physical and mental health, relationships with family and friends, performance at work or school, and their legal status. It can also cause stress and anxiety, which can lead to depression or other psychiatric disorders. In addition, it can lead to substance abuse and suicide.
Despite its prevalence, there is very little research on gambling, especially among young people. Some researchers worry that funding from the gambling industry could skew research agendas. Other critics point out that many gambling studies use cross-sectional data and do not examine longitudinal patterns of gambling over time, which can distort results.
The ALSPAC study provides an opportunity to investigate the long-term effects of gambling on young people. Its strength lies in its large sample size and the wealth of information it contains on both children and their parents. The participants live in a range of environments, from inner city to semi-rural, in a single geographic area. They are interviewed at multiple times, including when they are 17 and 24 years old. They report their own gambling activities and their parents’ responses to questions about their own gambling. This allows the imputation of missing data for several variables, including those related to parental and SES. More details are available in the supplementary methods. Gambling is a complex activity that is difficult to measure, and the present results should be viewed with caution. However, they provide some evidence on the impact of gambling on young people that is consistent with other international research. In particular, it suggests that young people’s reported gambling habits at the age of 17 are influenced by their parental involvement and other factors.