Gambling is an activity where you bet something of value on a random event with the aim of winning money. It can be done in casinos, lotteries, online, or privately. It’s often considered a leisure activity, but it can also be an addictive habit that leads to severe financial and social problems.

People gamble for a variety of reasons, including the excitement of winning money, a desire to socialise with friends, and to relieve boredom or stress. But gambling can become harmful if you’re betting more than you can afford to lose, borrowing money to gamble, or feeling stressed and anxious about gambling. This can lead to debt problems, which can in turn exacerbate mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

The brain responds to gambling in much the same way as it does to drugs of abuse, such as cocaine. In both cases, when you gamble, the brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy. Dopamine levels increase as you anticipate the reward, and they remain high even when you’re losing. This is likely why many people find it hard to stop gambling, even when they know it’s a problem.

If you or a loved one has a gambling disorder, help is available. Therapists can offer psychodynamic therapy to explore unconscious processes that affect your behaviour, and family therapy can build stronger relationships. There are also support groups for gamblers, and specialised treatments such as cognitive-behavioural therapy and group psychotherapy.