Gambling is a term used to describe activities where people risk money or something of value to predict the outcome of a game involving chance. This can include fruit machines, scratchcards or betting with friends.

Gambling can occur in many different forms and is a big international commercial activity. It is also a major public health issue.

The definition of gambling harms is based on a number of factors and takes account of the broader issues around gambling behaviour, clinical diagnosis and risk factors. This includes a focus on consequences rather than causes or symptoms of harmful gambling.

Harm to a person who gambles is defined as any initial or exacerbated adverse consequence due to an engagement with gambling that leads to decrement in health, wellbeing or quality of life of the individual, their family, their community and/or population.

This includes, but is not limited to, physical health problems (such as obesity, hypertension or diabetes), emotional and mental health concerns, relationship difficulties, financial stress, employment related risks and the impact of gambling on relationships with others.

There are four main reasons that people gamble: Social, financial, entertainment and pleasure.

For social reasons, gambling is often a way to make a social gathering more enjoyable or to increase the fun of a party. It can also be a way of feeling good or getting a “rush”.

If gambling becomes more important to someone, this can cause them to feel stressed and may lead to other health problems.

When people are unable to control their gambling, this can be a sign of an addiction and they should seek help from a specialist. There are a variety of different treatments that can help to reduce the amount you gamble and/or help you stop gambling altogether.

The first step in the treatment process is to recognise that there are problems and talk about them. Some people will want to stop gambling completely, whilst others might only need some help to control their gambling.

This might be through a support service, counselling or help with managing your finances. It can be hard to know what you need and where to find it.

Another way to help people cope with gambling is through cognitive-behaviour therapy, which can teach people to change their thoughts and negative habits. This can be a very effective treatment for overcoming the urges to gamble.

A third approach is to change the environment that encourages gambling. This can be through changes in the way that gambling is organised or promoted, reducing its attractiveness to vulnerable groups or promoting alternative options.

For example, there are online gambling sites where you can play without having to leave the house. They offer a range of games, such as slots and sports betting, and you can deposit and withdraw money easily.

There is also a growing understanding of the links between gambling and other addictive behaviours such as alcohol and drugs. This research can help to identify potential underlying vulnerabilities, and to develop targeted interventions for these problems.