Gambling is any activity in which a person stakes something of value, such as money, on the outcome of an event involving skill or chance. It can take place in many places, including casinos, sports events and online. A person may also risk something they already have – for example, a house – to try and win a larger sum of money. Often, gambling is advertised through a series of numbers, or odds, that indicate the probability of winning the prize.
While some people consider gambling to be fun, for others it is a serious problem that can lead to severe financial problems, ruining lives and even leaving them homeless. Problem gambling can affect a person’s health, relationships with family and friends, work performance and study, and it can even lead to suicide in extreme circumstances.
Research on gambling has focused mainly on its financial, labor and health impacts. However, it has been difficult to measure the social impacts of gambling as they are not monetary. This article focuses on examining these hidden, non-monetary costs and benefits at personal, interpersonal and community/society level.
If you are concerned about your gambling habits, there are steps you can take to help control them. Start by identifying the reasons why you gamble. Write down your motivations and refer to them when you feel tempted to gamble. You can also reduce your access to money by getting rid of credit cards, closing online betting accounts and putting your spouse or parent in charge of your finances. You can also seek treatment for underlying mood disorders such as depression or stress, which may trigger or make gambling worse.