Gambling is an activity where people risk something of value, such as money, on a random event in the hope of winning something else of value. It is an addictive behaviour and can lead to problems in many areas including health, relationships and work performance. Problem gambling can also cause significant costs to family members, friends, workplaces and the wider community. These costs are called externalities. They can be monetary, such as general costs, problem gambling related costs and long-term cost or they can be non-monetary, such as the loss of social support or loss of opportunity to engage in other activities.
Many people gamble for social, financial or entertainment reasons. They may play to win a lot of money, to spend time with friends or to relieve boredom and stress. In some cases, people may start gambling when they are bored and then become addicted to the habit. This can be difficult to break because gambling is very accessible and it has a high entertainment factor.
Some people are more vulnerable to gambling problems than others. Men are more likely to develop a gambling problem, but anyone can be affected. Young people may be more at risk because they are still developing their brains and might find it easier to pick up bad habits. They are also more likely to gamble online or on mobile devices, which allow them to bet and make micro-transactions easily without the need to leave the house.