Gambling can be a fun pastime and provide a rush of excitement when things go your way. However, it can also lead to serious harm if not controlled.

Problem gambling can lead to financial ruin, relationship breakdown, family violence, depression and even suicide. It can also cause problems at work and affect health, both mental and physical. Harmful gambling can leave a legacy of harm for generations. This is why it is important to understand how to recognise and respond to harmful gambling behaviour.

The term ‘gambling’ refers to any activity where a person risks money or property with an element of chance. It includes games of skill as well as those of chance, such as lottery, slot machines and scratchcards. It may also include betting on sports events, putting money in a tipping pool and playing fantasy sport. The term is also applied to activities that involve a social element, such as betting on the outcome of a game or a horse race with friends, and it can be conducted in a variety of settings, from casinos to private homes.

A number of different factors can increase the risk of developing a gambling problem, including the prevalence and accessibility of opportunities to gamble and the aggressive promotion of gambling products. High-intensity products, such as electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and high-speed wagering platforms, are particularly associated with harms, and they are often disproportionately located in areas of disadvantage. The increased normalization of gambling through sponsorship or other association with popular sporting leagues and the colocation of gambling products in social contexts can also contribute to problematic uptake.

There is no single form of gambling that is more addictive than others. Those who develop gambling problems can experience issues with any type of gambling, from the lottery to casino games and sports wagering. In fact, the understanding of gambling problems has undergone a dramatic shift. Historically, individuals who experienced adverse consequences from gambling were viewed as having gambling addictions, and this has been reflected in the definition of pathological gambling that was included in the various editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

While some people have difficulty controlling their urges to gamble, for most there is no such thing as an addictive ‘type’ of gambling. Problem gamblers may have a specific preference for one type of gambling or another, but they all have the same fundamental risk factors:

It is important to understand that, regardless of the type of gambling activity, there are always more chances to lose than to win. This is why it is so important to set a budget and stick to it, not spend more than you can afford to lose. In addition, it is essential to understand that there are a range of strategies that can be used to manage problem gambling, such as centralized account registration with binding loss limits and restrictions relating to access and availability. This will help to reduce the risk of harm and facilitate responsible gambling.