Gambling is an activity where you risk something of value – often money – on the outcome of a random event that you cannot control or influence. It’s often regulated by law and you can find it through lottery games, sports betting or casinos.
Gambling can be used to meet basic human needs such as a desire for status and specialness. It can also be used to escape boredom or stress, or as a way to experience the thrill of winning and losing. These highs and lows cause changes to brain chemistry, which can be long lasting, even after the gambling stops.
Signs of a problem include repeatedly losing more than you win, spending more than you can afford to lose and thinking you will suddenly get lucky and win back all your lost money (this is known as the gambler’s fallacy). People who have gambling problems often end up in debt and rely on pay day loans and other credit to try to keep up with their losses. They may even steal or sell items to fund their gambling.
When someone has a gambling problem it can impact their family and friends too. They may feel like their loved ones don’t care about them anymore and this can lead to break downs in relationships. It can also affect work and they may miss important deadlines or meetings, or lie to their employer to cover up their gambling habits. This can have serious legal consequences for them in the long run.