Gambling is an activity where you put something of value at risk in order to try and predict the outcome of an event based on chance, such as betting on a football match or buying a scratchcard. If you predict the outcome correctly you win the money you have gambled. If you’re wrong you lose. Gambling is a very risky activity and it can have serious negative effects for individuals, families and communities.
There are a number of reasons why people gamble, for example, it can be a fun social activity to participate in with friends or family members. It can also be a way of getting that ‘rush’ or feeling of excitement. It’s important to remember that gambling can cause a lot of emotions like stress, regret and guilt and that these feelings can be quite intense, especially if you have a habit of gambling.
Having a good relationship with your loved one means you have empathy and understanding when they say things like, “I’m going to start gambling more” or “I can’t control myself.” It’s also worth remembering that gambling has a huge impact on your mental health. It can change your brain chemistry and make other activities that used to bring you pleasure seem less appealing. It’s possible to rebalance your life again and find other ways of feeling happy, for example, through exercise or spending time with friends and family.
For many, gambling is a fun pastime, but some find it hard to stop. This can have serious personal, social and financial consequences for the individual as well as their family and community.
