Gambling is an activity in which people risk money or other valuables by predicting the outcome of a game involving chance, such as betting on a football match or buying a scratchcard. If they predict the outcome correctly, they win money; if they’re wrong, they lose the money they gambled.

While most adults who choose to gamble can do so responsibly, some people develop a gambling addiction that can have serious health consequences. Problem gambling can affect an individual’s physical and mental health, their relationships, their work or study performance and even lead to bankruptcy or homelessness. It is important that healthcare professionals are aware of the dangers of gambling and are able to identify and treat people who may be suffering from gambling-related problems.

Understanding the relationship between gambling behaviors and health is a growing area of research and clinical practice. This is due to the increased availability of legalized gambling activities in the United States and other countries, as well as the increasing recognition that some types of gambling can be addictive.

Despite the widespread popularity of gambling, it is not widely understood how many people are affected by problem gambling. It is estimated that 2.5 million U.S. adults (1%) meet the criteria for a gambling disorder. Another 5-8 million adults experience mild or moderate problem gambling.1

Some individuals may find it difficult to stop gambling if they have an underlying psychiatric condition such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, which can trigger or intensify the urge to gamble. However, it is also possible for individuals who don’t have a psychiatric diagnosis to develop a gambling problem.

The risk of developing a gambling disorder is higher for individuals who have low self-esteem, who were exposed to the influence of family members who gambled excessively and who live in areas with few gambling resources. In addition, young people are more likely to engage in risky behaviours than older adults; this is partly because their brains are still maturing until the age of 25, and it’s easier for them to develop bad habits.

A key component of overcoming a gambling addiction is support, which can be found in a variety of ways. For example, you could join a support group like Gamblers Anonymous, which follows a 12-step recovery model similar to that of Alcoholics Anonymous. Another option is to seek help from a therapist, who can help you with any issues you’re struggling with. BetterHelp, an online therapy service, can match you with a therapist who can help with gambling addiction and other concerns in as little as 48 hours.