Gambling is an activity in which you stake something of value on an event with an uncertain outcome, with the primary intent of winning money or material goods. It can take many forms, from buying lottery tickets to placing bets on sports events or games of chance like marbles, dice and poker. It can even include collecting items of value such as trading cards and small discs in games like Magic: The Gathering. Gambling is also often done in groups, such as with office pools where employees wager on the outcome of TV shows or reality contests.
Some people experience gambling as an addiction, a condition known as “compulsive gambling.” People with this disorder are preoccupied with gambling (e.g., thinking about past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, chasing losses), spend more than they can afford, lie to conceal their involvement with gambling and are at high risk of financial ruin. They may even turn to theft and fraud to fund their addiction.
Despite its long history of stigma and suppression by law, gambling is now legalized in most countries and heavily promoted through new commercial associations with sport and culture. This rapid normalization increases the likelihood of gambling harms, including relationship breakdown, family violence, debt, addiction, income-generating crimes and erosion of civil institutions through corruption and corporate political activity. It can also divert household spending from essentials and contribute to poverty, food insecurity and ill health.