Gambling is the wagering of something of value (such as money or property) on an event with a chance of winning a prize. A number of different events can be gambled on, from football matches and lottery draws to horse races, scratchcards and online casinos. There are many reasons why people gamble, from coping with boredom to treating depression. For most, however, gambling is an enjoyable pastime that provides entertainment and a sense of excitement. While most individuals participate in gambling without problems, a small proportion of them become heavily involved and develop gambling disorder – a mental illness listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Gambling disorders can have negative impacts on family, relationships, work and study performance and result in serious debt and even homelessness.

While some people gamble for fun, others use it as a way to cope with stress or boredom, to socialize, or as an outlet for their anger and frustration. People with poor emotional health may also be more vulnerable to gambling, with studies showing that up to 5% of those who gamble develop a problem.

The negative effects of gambling can be minimized by setting boundaries around spending and putting systems in place to prevent over-gambling. This could include putting someone else in charge of money management, establishing automatic payments to the bank, closing online betting accounts and keeping only a limited amount of cash on you at all times. In addition, a person can try to reduce their urges by focusing on activities they find rewarding and stimulating, such as exercising, taking up a new hobby or spending time with friends who do not gamble.

For some, the positive effects of gambling can outweigh the negatives – such as when they are used to entertain a crowd or raise money for a worthy cause. Others find that it helps to keep them mentally healthy by developing new skills and learning about risk-taking in a safe environment. It can help them to become more creative and improve their concentration. For some, learning a new strategy stimulates new nerve connections in the brain and increases intelligence.

For most, however, the pleasure they get from gambling is outweighed by the negatives – especially for those who develop a gambling disorder. Vulnerability is high for those with low incomes who have more to lose and less to gain from a large win, as well as young people and men. It is estimated that 5% of these individuals will develop a gambling disorder, which can have devastating physical and psychological effects and cause financial problems including homelessness. This is why it is so important to recognise the symptoms of a gambling disorder and seek treatment as early as possible. There are many effective treatments for gambling disorder, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and group support, including Alcoholics Anonymous. To examine the evidence of the benefits and harms of gambling, researchers searched the medline database from 1966 to 2001 using the MeSH (Medical Subject Heading) terms ‘gambling’ and ‘problem gambling’.