Gambling is an activity where you risk something of value, such as money or items, for the chance to win more. It can be done in many ways, such as placing a bet on a football team to win a match or buying a scratchcard. Gambling is a form of risk taking and people can become addicted to it. It can cause problems with work, family and personal life. It can also affect health.
There is no one type of gambling that is more addictive than others, but all types can lead to problems. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a problem.
Getting help can make it easier to change your gambling habits. You can get support from friends and family and from peer groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous. You can also seek help from professionals who can offer advice and support.
Gambling can be very emotionally involving. The ‘high’ of anticipating winning can be very exciting, but the ‘low’ of losing can be devastating. Some people gamble to escape feelings of depression or other mental health issues, but this can actually make these feelings worse.
It’s important to set limits before you start gambling. This could be putting a limit on the amount of money you spend, limiting how much you can bet or putting in place other measures such as blocking websites, keeping only a certain amount of cash with you and telling someone you trust about your limits so they can remind you.
