Gambling is an activity in which people place bets on events that have an uncertain outcome. These bets can be on sports matches, cards or even scratchcards. The first step involves choosing what you want to bet on – this could be a particular football team or event, or it could be a specific number or symbol on a scratchcard. This choice is matched to ‘odds’ – which are the chances of winning a certain amount of money, if successful.

Gambling can be a fun and social activity, but for some people it can lead to serious problems. If you are concerned that your gambling is out of control, it’s important to seek help. There are treatments available and support groups that can help you regain control of your life.

While gambling can be a lucrative business, it can also cause damage to personal relationships, family and work performance. Depending on the type of gambler, it can affect self-esteem, mental health and physical well-being. It can also have a negative impact on the economy and society.

Some individuals become addicted to gambling because of genetic predisposition and/or their brain’s reward system. Others may be more inclined to engage in risky behaviour because of their environment. In addition, some people’s cultures place a strong emphasis on gambling and it is difficult to recognise when the activity is harmful. Gambling can have impacts on the community and society, which can be observed at personal, interpersonal or societal level (Fig 1). These effects can be divided into three classes: financial, labor and health and well-being.