Gambling involves risking something of value (money, property or possessions) on an event that is determined at least partly by chance. The hope is that the gambler will win something else of value, but the loser will also forfeit something. Examples of gambling include putting money on a football game or buying scratchcards.

The underlying principle of gambling is that you have a higher chance of losing than winning. However, people can become addicted to the thrill of the activity and this can be very dangerous. Problem gambling can be detrimental to people’s health, relationships and work performance, lead to debt and even homelessness.

People who are at a higher risk of developing a gambling problem are those who begin to gamble at an early age and people who gamble to escape from problems or stress. It can also affect those close to the person, including family members and friends.

A gambling addiction can affect anyone regardless of social or economic status, educational level and medical history. Some factors, such as genetics and the environment, may increase the risk of gambling addiction. For example, a family history of depression and a lack of parental supervision may be associated with gambling addiction in teenagers.

Most people gamble without any serious problems, but some are at high risk of developing an addiction. The likelihood of gambling becoming a problem increases with the amount of time spent gambling and with the intensity of the behaviour. Symptoms of gambling addiction can include loss of control, increased spending on gambling activities, lying about the extent of your gambling and hiding evidence of gambling from others.

The risk of developing a gambling problem can be increased by being exposed to it at a young age, having family members who have a gambling problem and having poor financial management skills. Gambling can also be addictive because of the positive feelings it can generate and the sense of achievement that comes with winning.

Gambling is an impulsive activity, and the risk of a gambling disorder increases with the frequency and intensity of the gambling behavior. This impulsiveness is associated with a variety of psychological and behavioural phenomena, including sensation-and novelty-seeking, arousal, negative emotionality and impaired impulse control.

The best way to reduce your risk of gambling addiction is to gamble responsibly and play for fun. Never take out loans or credit cards to fund your gambling and only gamble with money that you can afford to lose. If you think your gambling is getting out of hand, seek help immediately. Many organisations provide support, advice and counselling to people affected by gambling. These services can include treatment, education and support for families and friends of problem gamblers. They can also help to stop someone from gambling altogether.