Gambling is an activity that involves putting something of value on the outcome of an event, whether this be a football match, a scratchcard or a lottery. It is a form of risk-taking where luck determines the winner and there are no rules that can guarantee winning. Some people become addicted to gambling and this has a negative impact on their lives. This can cause financial difficulties, ruin relationships and even lead to homelessness. This is known as problem gambling.
The majority of people who participate in gambling do so without a problem but for some, it becomes a serious issue. Gambling has many impacts that can affect the gambler’s life, these can be on a personal level, interpersonal level and community/society level. Personal impacts affect the gambler themselves, interpersonal levels are those who are close to the gambler such as family and friends and community/society impacts involve the wider society and can lead to suicide.
Some people find it difficult to stop gambling because of a variety of reasons, for example they may gamble as a way to relieve unpleasant emotions such as anxiety or depression. However, there are healthier and more effective ways of doing this such as practicing relaxation techniques, spending time with friends who don’t gamble and exercising. It is also important to seek help for any underlying mood disorders that can trigger or be made worse by gambling. These can include depression, stress and substance misuse.