Mathematical Modelling of Gambling Addiction Dynamics in Society

Gambling addiction is a silent monster that pose a serious public health threat globally. For instance, compulsive gambling has led to family breakdowns, legal troubles, financial ruins, significant health issues, strained relationships, or even loss of lives. In this study, we formulate and analyze a gambling addiction mathematical model to understand and manage a gambling problem in society. The basic properties of the model were established to show that the model is mathematically and biologically feasible. The basic reproduction number, ℜ<sub>0</sub> was obtained using the next generation matrix method. The conditions for the existence of gambling free equilibrium and gambling endemic equilibrium were established, that is, both equilibria states were found to be locally and globally asymptotically stable whenever ℜ<sub>0</sub> < 1 and unstable when ℜ<sub>0</sub> > 1. Numerical simulation results shows that management of gambling problem depends on the control efforts invested, for instance, higher control efforts increase the chances of overcoming the challenge. The model results further reveal that the rate of contact between susceptible individuals and gamblers (casual and heavy) influences the development of gambling habits in the community. The study findings also show that serious early gambling interventions play a predominant role in mitigating this harmful behavior in society.