Gambling is the staking of something of value, such as money or other assets, on an event with an uncertain outcome. Gambling also involves the exploitation of vulnerable people and communities, including children. It can cause serious harm to health, with consequences that include financial stress, relationship breakdown, mental illness and homelessness. It is estimated that for every person with a gambling problem, an average of six others are also affected (Rintoul A, Dwyer J, Millar C, Bugeja L, Nguyen H).

Gamblers can be at risk of becoming addicted to gambling for a variety of reasons. These may include age, gender, sex, family history, and other social influences such as the presence of other compulsive gamblers. Some psychiatric disorders can be triggered by gambling, such as borderline personality disorder and schizo-affective disorder. Religious and spiritual influences can also play a role. For example, the Buddha stated that gambling is a source of destruction and many religious communities (including Jehovah’s Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Iglesia ni Cristo) prohibit it.

Some strategies for reducing the risks of harmful gambling include: Starting with a fixed amount of money that you are willing to lose, and staying within this limit. Leaving your debit or credit cards at home can help you stick to a limit, and playing with friends can slow you down and make it more difficult to exceed your limit. You can also try to find games with the lowest house edge, and be sure to set limits on your spending.