I have a friend who swears on the probability of randomness as a function of events in life. Nothing in life is predictable. It’s all about the chances we take. On one hand this theory has viability, but on the other side there are people who vouch for the theory of coincidences who believe that the coincidences of life are not chance, but destiny showing its path which we can then either follow or not.
Balancing these two approaches is how I view life myself. Knowing when it is important to follow a chance meeting and when to take a risk. However, I often wonder, are these approaches the same side of a coin? Informed decisions are still laced with risk and sometimes we need to trust our gut and instincts. At such times, should we venture with the knowledge that we may fail?
There are no definite answers to such dilemmas. It is natural to want to be on the winning side and believe that greater magical forces influence your luck. So when should we take a risk or still important is why do we risk at all when we know that it is a gamble. Such is life. The outcome always dedicates the actions. This is where hope comes in. There is always next time.
Such strong natural urges that dictate many of our actions form the crux of the gambling world. In fact the kings of the gambling world take this a step further and create strategies that hike up the risk and make the game worthwhile. Ancient as human instinct, betting has always been a part of civilization where people would stake valuables for the probability of an event.
Analyzing the behavior of gambling, psychologist Wildman defines gambling as a conscious and deliberate effort engaged by humans where the thrill is as important as the turn of events. It’s the chance that one might win and win big. It is this strength of excitement or thrill involved that is the true nature of gambling games. It could be a card game, roulette, matka, or our local dhirio, all of which are designed to thrill.
Thus if gambling is a generator of excitement and stimulation, what is the harm in gambling. Why should we ban any form of gambling since life itself is a gamble. Such common held arguments are the ones made by those that play this game and feel the thrill. The thrill itself is addictive and blinds every ounce of rationality with those who place their bets against all odds.
This is when gambling becomes a problem. A combination of excitement and level of involvement is perhaps the best means to determine when a person has ‘Problem Gambling’. Problem gambling is an urge to gamble despite harmful negative consequences. The person stops looking at rationality and gets obsessed with the personification of luck, and other superstitious forms of thinking
Rosenthal, a psychiatrist researching pathological gambling, sees problem gambling as a progressive disorder characterized by a continuous or periodic loss of control over gambling; irrational thinking; and a continuation of the behaviour despite adverse consequences.
While matka is opening up questions about their operations, it is important to look at the growing psychosocial problem that are being created by young people placing their bets on dhirio (bullfights).
Although illegal, the game of dhirio continues to flourish by popular demand and aspiring politicians. Young men get initiated into this game fairly early. The extent of damage being caused by this unfortunate habit is devastating. The money that exchanges hands runs into lakhs and for those whose income is meager, such a habit destroys families.
Fr. Benjamin, who works closely with families in south Goa, reports his concern “Young men ruin their lives by getting addicted to dhirio. There is a lot of unrest, abuse and families get destroyed because the obsession is so strong that they cannot stop,” he opines.
Being addicted to any form of gambling has its consequences. In the hope that their next bet will surely bring them returns, the gambler will invest all his life savings, borrow, steal and even sell family possessions and run up huge debts.
In the bargain the whole family suffers. Abuse is common in homes where pathological gambling is present. Problem gamblers cannot help themselves and simply get blinded by their previous losses. The obsession being so strong that they stop thinking about anything else except the next bet and how they will procure money for it.
Growing up with such individuals, other family members face constant fear, sense of insecurity and fluctuating emotions. A lot of pressure also comes from bookies or loan sharks that people rely on for capital to gamble with.
Unfortunately dealing with problem gambling is not easy. It is a disease like any other addiction and has a biological basis to it. Measurable chemical changes occur in the brain because of a predisposition or continuous compulsion. A problem gambler needs help and before one gambles their life away it is better to seek medical intervention. However prevention is always better than cure. Avoid gambling if you have an addictive personality.
