Gambling involves placing something of value on an uncertain event, such as a game of chance or an unpredictable outcome, in order to win something else of value. It can take a range of forms, from the purchase of lottery tickets by people with little to no income to the sophisticated casino gambling of those who make their living as professional gamblers.
While some people have positive experiences with gambling, for others it can be harmful. It can affect their health and relationships, cause them to lose money, or lead to bankruptcy and even homelessness. It can also affect their work and study performance. And it can have an impact on their family, friends and communities too.
The negative impacts of gambling have been structuralized into three classes: financial, labor and health/well-being. These classes are examined at the individual, interpersonal and community/societal levels. The latter refers to the impacts that are visible to other people, such as increased debt and credit strain affecting family members or escalating into problem gambling which can affect other gamblers and their significant others.
It’s important to remember that gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to escape from stress. So it’s best to only gamble with disposable income, and never use money that you need to pay bills or rent. It’s also worth setting a time limit for how long you want to gamble and leaving when you reach it, whether you’re winning or losing. And never gamble when you’re feeling stressed or upset – these are bad times for your chances of winning.