Gambling is an activity where a person risks something of value to predict the outcome of an event based on chance, such as betting on a football match or buying a scratchcard. It can be fun, but for some people it becomes a problem that can affect their physical and mental health, their relationships with family and friends and their performance at work or study. It can also lead to financial hardship and even homelessness. Problem gambling often has no obvious physical symptoms, unlike alcohol or drug addiction, but it can cause significant harm to a person’s life and wellbeing.

Whether playing on a casino floor, online or over the telephone, gambling is a complex activity that involves a sequence of psychological processes and events. Despite differences in the types of games, clinical research has found that there are common features that occur in people who develop problems with gambling. These include: the expectation of an early large win, boredom susceptibility, impulsivity, a poor understanding of random events and the use of escape coping. These factors can combine to create a harmful pattern of behaviour that keeps the person locked into a cycle of gambling.

Problem gamblers can be anyone, but certain groups are at higher risk of developing a gambling disorder. Adolescents, veterans, aging adults and members of certain ethnic groups such as the Latino and Asian communities are all at greater risk. They can also be at risk if they are exposed to media coverage of gambling or have a history of psychiatric disorders, particularly depression.

The first step to overcoming a gambling addiction is realizing that there is a problem. It can be a difficult admission, especially when someone has lost money or has strained their relationships over gambling. However, it is important to know that you are not alone and that many people have overcome a gambling problem.

There are a number of different ways to treat a gambling addiction, including counselling and support groups. It’s also important to find healthy ways to relieve unpleasant feelings, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, and trying relaxation techniques.

For some people, a combination of these steps is enough to help them stop gambling. But for others, more intensive treatment options are available. These include inpatient or residential treatments, and they are designed for those who have severe gambling addictions and are unable to stop on their own without round-the-clock help. These programs offer a safe and supportive environment to help people learn new coping skills and build a strong foundation for recovery. They can include group therapy sessions, one-to-one counselling, cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. If you are interested in getting help for a gambling addiction, start by taking the BetterHelp assessment and we can match you with an experienced therapist in as little as 48 hours. No matter where you are in the world, we have the right therapist for you.