Gambling is the wagering of something of value (like money) on an outcome that is out of a person’s control or influence and where instances of strategy are discounted. Gambling takes many forms, including lotteries, sports betting and casino games. People gamble for a variety of reasons, including chasing losses, escaping reality or to make money. However, when gambling is compulsive and causes harm, a person can be considered to have a problem.

There are a few things to be aware of when it comes to gambling:

1. Problem gamblers often lie about how much they are spending, or try to hide their gambling activity;

2. They may attempt to escape their feelings by focusing on other activities (such as drinking, drug use, shopping or spending time with friends), or by hiding their gambling behaviour from others;

3. They may also experience negative consequences, such as loss of significant relationships, employment, education or financial opportunities;

4. They may attempt to make up for their lost income by using other sources of cash or credit, such as loan sharks or even criminal activity (like forgery, embezzlement, theft and fraud) to fund their gambling behaviour;

To avoid falling into the trap of gambling addiction, start off by setting some limits for yourself, such as only betting a certain amount of money at any given time. Also, limit the drinks you have at a casino, only tip cocktail waitresses by handing them chips and clearly stating they are for them, don’t take out cash, and make sure you keep a fixed amount of money with you at all times. Fill in the gaps that gambling has been taking up in your life with other social activities, hobbies and interests.