Gambling involves risking something of value in order to win money or other prizes. It can be done legally in some countries and is popular for both fun and profit. People can gamble on events like horse races, sports, casino games or the lottery. It can also be done online. People who are vulnerable to developing gambling disorder include people with low incomes, young people and men, who are more likely to develop a problem than women. People with a history of mental health issues or substance abuse are also more at risk of developing a gambling addiction.

It is important to recognise when gambling is becoming a problem. Signs that you may be suffering from a gambling problem include lying to family and friends, hiding evidence of gambling or spending excessive amounts of time and money on it.

If you are worried about your gambling, talk to someone who won’t judge you – a trusted friend or family member, or a professional counsellor. Try to find healthier ways to relieve unpleasant feelings – such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, or taking up new hobbies.

Studies of gambling have mostly focused on its negative impacts, especially on gamblers and their families. However, social impact research can benefit from a methodology that includes health-related quality of life weights and monetary values assigned to intangible harms and benefits, as defined by Williams and others [32]. These methods are used in alcohol and drug studies and could help to improve the current state of knowledge about gambling’s impacts on individuals.