Gambling is an activity where people risk money or things of value in the hope of winning more than they risked. This could be playing a game of chance at a casino, betting on a football match or buying a scratchcard. The odds on a game of chance are set by the betting company and the outcome is determined by the randomness of chance, so nobody knows for sure what will happen.

Harmful gambling is a term used to describe a range of problems that can occur as a result of gambling. It can be harmful to your mental health and cause you to lose money and relationships. It can also affect your financial and social life, leading to debt or other problems in your family.

Understanding how gambling works helps you understand the risks and protect yourself from harm. You should only gamble with what you can afford to lose and set time limits in advance.

It is important to remember that if you have a problem, you will need help and support. This may include counselling and therapy, or joining a support group like Gamblers Anonymous.

The Gambler’s fallacy is a common misconception that because events or outcomes have happened before, they are more likely to happen again. This is a misunderstanding that can be harmful to a person who gambles.

The conceptual framework of gambling related harm that emerged from the data analysis is a set of harms (types and breadth) that impact at three levels, the person who gambles, the affected others and the broader community. This reflects the fact that people who gamble are likely to experience harm first, then to be affected by the gambling of their peers and relatives, and that harm can be sustained throughout their lives.