What is Gambling and How Can it Affect You?

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Gambling is betting or staking something of value, such as money or possessions, on an outcome that is determined by chance, with the hope of gaining more than was lost. It can include games of chance like scratchcards, fruit machines and casino games, as well as betting with friends on horse racing, football accumulators or political elections, or speculating on business, insurance, or stock markets.

It’s thought that about 2.5 million people (1%) in the U.S. have gambling problems, while 5-8 million (2-3%) meet some of the criteria for pathological gambling disorder. This estimate excludes those who have experienced an episode of pathological gambling in the past but no longer meet diagnostic criteria.

You might be able to gamble in a social context without any problem, but when you start to feel you can’t control your urges to gamble or that you can’t walk away from it, then you have a problem. It’s also important to recognise if you are feeling depressed or anxious, which can trigger or make compulsive gambling worse.

Some people may find it difficult to acknowledge that they have a gambling problem, particularly if they have lost a lot of money or strained their relationships as a result of their addiction. But it is possible to overcome this. Talking to a therapist can help you work through these feelings and develop new, healthier ways of dealing with stress. BetterHelp can match you with a therapist who is best suited to your needs, taking into account your mood, addiction and history. Take our free assessment to get started.