Gambling is a form of risk-taking where you bet money or items of value on an event with some element of chance. This could be a football match, a scratchcard or a lottery. You have a choice of what you want to bet on and the choice is matched to ‘odds’, which are a prediction of how much you might win.

Gambling can affect anyone – it can harm people’s physical and mental health, damage relationships and cause financial problems. It can also impact on work and study. It can cause people to miss important meetings and deadlines, make poor decisions or even get into debt and homelessness. People with severe gambling problems may even steal to fund their addiction.

It is increasingly common for medical professionals to assess their patients’ gambling behaviour. This can be as part of a general health check or because the patient has been experiencing symptoms such as anxiety or depression.

The first step to getting help for a gambling problem is to recognise that there is a problem. You can then take steps to find support and change your behaviour. This might include talking to friends and family, joining a support group like Gamblers Anonymous (similar to Alcoholics Anonymous) or seeking therapy from a professional. You can also seek out local referral resources such as certified gambling counselors or intensive treatment programs in your area. It’s also a good idea to set limits for yourself – decide how much you’re willing to lose and stick to it.