Gambling involves placing something of value on an event that is determined by chance. Usually the item placed on is money, but it can also be anything else of value such as property or services. It is possible to win more than you bet, but losing more than you win is the norm. Gambling is often considered an entertainment activity, and it can provide enjoyment for those who participate.
Studies have found that people who gamble tend to report higher levels of happiness than those who don’t. This may be because gambling provides an outlet for negative emotions and stressors such as depression, boredom, anxiety, or anger. Moreover, it can provide a sense of socialization with others.
Many elderly people enjoy gambling, as well. This is particularly true for those who live in long-term care facilities. Some of these facilities allow residents to participate in various types of gambling activities, including bingo, poker, and card games. However, the preferences for and reactions to gambling should be carefully assessed before introducing it on a large scale.
While there are many positive impacts of gambling, the costs and harms can be significant. These costs and harms are generally measured on personal, interpersonal, and societal/community levels. The societal/community level impacts of gambling are sometimes estimated using health-related quality of life (HRQL) weights, or disability weights. However, most of the research on gambling has focused primarily on negative and pathological gambling effects. This is a limitation of the research in this area.