People gamble for a variety of reasons: to win money, for entertainment, to belong to a social group, to alleviate boredom, to support charities, to escape problems, for mood change, to experience winning, and because of social influences from friends and family. Understanding the motivations behind gambling is important for making wise choices.

1. Grade 8 | Unit 8.2 | Page 12
Unit 8.2
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Why do people gamble?
• To win money - Gamblers see gambling at getting “easy” money. In the
next unit, we'll see there is very little probability of that happening!
• For entertainment and recreation - It's fun to gamble and get a
thrill.
• To belong to a special group - To gamble can make you feel as if
you are part of a special group. Unfortunately, many of these gambling
groups have criminal connections.
• To alleviate boredom - The thrill and the lights of a slot machine add
to the excitement.
• To support a charity - Some people buy a lottery ticket or raffle ticket
because they want to be both entertained and to support a local charity at
the same time.
• To escape problems or to get away from home - Some people gamble
because it is an escape from problems, depression or negative feelings.
• For mood change - Some people gamble because they experience a
“high” while playing.
• To experience that winning spirit - For some gamblers, that
exciting, positive memory of how they felt when they won in the past is the
motivation to carry on gambling. They try to capture that experience again.
• Because friends and family do - Especially true for adolescents who
see their family or friends gamble and are often keen to try gambling
themselves.
I am Socrates, the famous ancient Greek philosopher.
In order to live well, you need to know yourself.
(This means knowing the reasons why you choose to
do certain things …)