Gambling is the betting or staking of something of value, such as money, on an uncertain event whose result may be determined by chance or skill. The activity can also be a social activity, in which people participate in games of chance for entertainment purposes with friends and/or with the intention to win money or other valuables (Christensen & Patsdaughter 2004).

While gambling is mostly viewed as an enjoyable activity by most individuals, there are some who become addicted and experience significant negative personal, family, and financial effects. The reasons that some individuals become addicted to gambling are varied and include: the desire to replicate an early large win, boredom susceptibility, impulsivity, a poor understanding of random events, the use of escape coping, and stressful life experiences.

Gambling has impacts at the personal, interpersonal and community/societal levels. These impacts can be divided into costs and benefits. Costs are associated with the gambler and include invisible individual costs, external costs of problem gambling, and long-term costs. Benefits of gambling are primarily associated with the community/societal level and include revenues from the gaming industry, the economic activity generated by gambling establishments and positive impacts on society.

There are a number of ways to prevent gambling addiction. One way is to strengthen your support network and seek help from a peer support group such as Gamblers Anonymous, which follows a 12-step recovery model based on Alcoholics Anonymous. Another way is to start exercising regularly, as this helps reduce stress and improves mental health.