Gambling is a widespread activity that can have major health, social and economic impacts. Taking a public health approach, gambling impact studies can help researchers and policymakers compare costs and benefits of different gambling policies and make better decisions.

Whether it’s online poker, fantasy leagues or scratch tickets, gambling is any activity in which something of value is staked for the chance to win more. It’s an activity that taps into the same emotional and psychological circuitry as religion: hope, belief, ritual and the deep human need to feel chosen.

The risk of developing a gambling problem is higher for some people than others, including adolescents, veterans, older adults and members of minority communities. It can harm their physical and mental health, affect their relationships and work or study performance, and lead to serious debt and homelessness. It can also cause harm to family and friends.

It’s important to know the signs of problematic gambling, including a loss of control over how much money you bet and spending more time than you can afford to play. It’s also important to talk to a friend, family member or professional about how you can better manage your gambling. Various tools are available to support healthy gambling, including universal pre-commitment (requiring that people set binding limits on their time and money spent gambling) and self-exclusion systems (allowing people to ban themselves from specific gambling providers). These are most effective when combined with prevention.