Gambling is when you risk something of value in order to win something else of value – for example, betting on a football team or buying a scratchcard. It can be done in a variety of places including casinos, sports events and online. Some people are very good at gambling and can do it responsibly but for some it’s a problem. In the past, gambling problems have been classified as substance-related disorders but they’ve now moved to a new section in DSM-5 which is dedicated to behavioral addictions.
It’s not uncommon to find teenagers engaging in gambling activities – they may be playing a game of skill, taking part in a lottery or visiting a casino. However, it’s important to know that if you are worried about someone’s gambling behaviour, you should seek professional help as they may have an issue.
There are some benefits to gambling, but it’s not a source of money – it’s entertainment. It’s often a social activity for friends and family to do together and some people will travel far to gamble, a good example would be going to Las Vegas with a group of friends.
It’s important to remember that you are likely to lose money when gambling. It’s also important to set limits for yourself when you are gambling – only gamble with money that you can afford to lose and don’t use the same amount of money that you need to pay bills or live on. Also, don’t chase losses – it usually leads to more losses.