Gambling is the voluntary, deliberate assumption of risk for a prize, often money. It includes betting on sports events, playing casino games and buying lottery tickets. It is considered an addictive behaviour because the chances of winning are low and the amount that can be won is not always guaranteed. This can cause harm to the gambler and others, including family members and friends. Problem gambling can affect anyone, regardless of race, religion, income, age or education. People with gambling problems can become secretive, lie about their activities and try to hide their addiction from family and friends.

The underlying causes of problem gambling are complex. People may start gambling to escape unpleasant feelings, such as boredom or depression. They may also be trying to find a way to deal with financial issues or other problems they are facing. The media promotes gambling as fun, sexy and glamorous and this can make people think that it is a good way to socialise. Some individuals may even be gambling to relieve the symptoms of withdrawal from substances or other addictive behaviours.

Some people are more susceptible to developing a gambling problem than others. This is thought to be due to differences in brain structures that control reward information, impulse control and the ability to weigh risk. Genetic factors may also play a role, with some individuals being predisposed to thrill-seeking behaviour and impulsivity. People from certain communities are more likely to be exposed to gambling and may develop a problem because of the cultural context.

A common myth is that gambling involves skill and that there are ways to improve your chances of winning. In fact, there is little or no skill involved in most gambling activities and the outcome of any event is largely determined by chance. Some activities such as poker and horse racing do involve some skills that can reduce the odds of losing, but the overall probability of winning is still largely dependent on chance.

There are a number of things that can be done to help prevent gambling becoming a problem. For example, putting restrictions on access to credit cards and making sure that only a small amount of money is available for gambling can be helpful. It can also be helpful to get support and advice from a health professional or from an organisation that provides gambling counselling or other services.

It is also important to recognise the warning signs of gambling problems and take action when they appear. This is especially important if someone you know has a gambling problem because it can impact on relationships, work or study performance and lead to debt and homelessness. It is important to remember that recovery from gambling is possible and there are many resources available. These include self-help groups such as Gamblers Anonymous, which is based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and has a proven track record of helping people recover from gambling addiction.