Gambling is an activity in which people place a bet on the outcome of a contest. It includes both games in which skill can improve the odds of winning and those where the outcome is entirely random. Typical examples include playing card games (such as poker or blackjack) with friends in a private setting, placing bets on the outcome of sporting events, like football games or horse races, and buying scratchcards.

Gambling addiction often leads to serious personal, family and professional problems. Those who have severe gambling problems may experience high levels of stress, depression and anxiety and may have difficulty sleeping or become suicidal. They may also have poor work performance and be at risk of theft, embezzlement or fraud. In addition, gambling can interfere with work and family life, causing employees to miss important deadlines or to neglect other responsibilities at home or in the workplace.

Some research suggests that some people are genetically predisposed to gambling addiction, with certain brain regions associated with reward processing and impulse control being more active in these individuals than in others. However, other factors can contribute to the development of gambling disorder, such as a person’s environment, community and culture. These factors can influence how people perceive gambling, whether it is socially acceptable or not, and what they consider to be a “problem”.

If you have concerns about your own gambling behaviour or that of someone else, seek help from BetterHelp, an online therapy service that matches you with licensed, accredited therapists who can provide support for many issues including depression, relationships, anxiety, and gambling addiction.