The act of placing a bet on an event with a prize, where the odds of winning are not guaranteed and instances of skill are discounted. Gambling encompasses a wide variety of activities, including casino games such as poker, slot machines and two-up, sports betting (including horse and greyhound racing and football accumulators) and lotteries.
People who gamble do so for a number of reasons. For some, it’s an enjoyable social activity. For others, it’s an addictive behavior that can have negative health and social consequences. Some people even develop gambling disorder, a mental illness that causes intense distress and impairment in everyday functioning.
A few million adults (1%) meet the criteria for this condition, and an additional 5-8 million people (2-3%) may have a milder form of the disorder. Gambling disorders can have serious consequences for health, family and employment. They can also lead to substance abuse and criminal behaviour.
Although not all gamblers have a gambling problem, those who do experience significant distress and impairment from their gambling should seek help. Some signs of a gambling disorder include: