Gambling involves betting something of value (money or property) on the outcome of a game, contest or uncertain event with awareness that there is a risk of losing it all. It ranges from lottery tickets and the betting of small sums by people who have little, to the sophisticated casino gambling of the wealthy, either for profit or as a pastime. It is not generally regarded as a socially admirable activity and can impoverish families, lead to blackmail and be controlled by organized crime groups.

Many people with Gambling Disorder have a hard time controlling their behavior or stopping their gambling. They may hide their behavior from others or lie about it, and they often try to win back the money that they have lost by raising their bets. They may also develop other problems that are triggered by or made worse by their gambling, such as depression, substance abuse or anxiety.

It is believed that the main cause of Gambling Disorder is a lack of impulse control. This explains why people with this condition can become addicted to gambling, even though they know that it is not a good way to make money. It also explains why they cannot stop gambling even when it starts having adverse effects on their lives.

There are several types of psychotherapy that can help people with Gambling Disorder. These include psychodynamic therapy, which looks at how unconscious processes influence behavior, and group therapy, where people describe their problems to one another under the supervision of a mental health professional.