Gambling is wagering something of value – like money – on an event with a random outcome where instances of strategy are discounted. To gamble, three elements must be present: consideration, risk, and a prize. Gambling can take place in many forms, including lotteries, sports betting, and casino games – like card or table games or electronic gaming machines. While there are some psychological and social benefits to gambling, there are also risks associated with it – including increased debt and financial stress, family conflicts, loss of employment, poor health, and even suicide. If you’re struggling to control your gambling habit, seek help from a specialist service. They can offer free, confidential debt advice.

It is important to note that while a small number of individuals may have pathological gambling, the majority of people who engage in this behavior do not meet diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 1980, 1987). This suggests that a broad public health approach to understanding and addressing problems related to gambling may be helpful.

Gambling impacts can be viewed at the personal, interpersonal, and community/society levels (Fig. 1). Personal levels refer to the impact on gamblers themselves, while interpersonal and societal/community level effects affect those who are not gamblers and can include economic impacts resulting from gambling revenues, indirect costs incurred by the gambling industry, and changes in work-related activities. In addition, some long-term effects of gambling can create a change in the life course of an individual and may pass between generations [72]. Lastly, social/community/societal impacts can be beneficial if they are redirected to public services, such as education or environmental protection.