Gambling is an activity where people risk money or valuables on something with an element of chance, such as the outcome of a game or event. It can include a range of activities, from traditional games like poker and sports betting to online gambling, fantasy sports and scratch tickets. There are also some newer forms of gambling, such as electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and social media-based fantasy leagues.
The first step in gambling is choosing what to bet on – for example, a football team or a scratchcard. This choice is then matched to ‘odds’, which determine how much money you could win if you were lucky enough. The odds are set by the betting company based on their knowledge of the probability of winning and losing.
People can experience harm from gambling even if they are not addicted, and the risks increase for people who live with significant stressors and for those living in socially disadvantaging situations. Heavy advertising and promotion of gambling products can lead to its normalisation, especially for children and young people. Gambling can also divert money from essential spending, causing food insecurity, housing problems and difficulties accessing health services.
Gambling disorder is now a recognised mental illness, included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as “Gambling Addiction” (DSM-5). It’s also important to remember that it takes time to stop gambling and recover from harms caused by gambling, and there are a variety of treatment options available. These may include cognitive-behavioural therapy, which helps people to identify and change harmful gambling thoughts and behaviours.
