Gambling is a behaviour that involves betting money on an event. It can involve chance-based games (such as the lottery or roulette), or it can be based on an agreement that someone else will win something of value.
The word ‘gambling’ comes from the Latin word gamblere, which means to bet or wager. This can be a risky activity, but it also provides fun and excitement.
It’s important to remember that gambling can be addictive and cause serious problems. It’s also important to know how to stop gambling if you have a problem.
Treatment for gambling is usually done through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This type of therapy looks at the way you think about betting and how your beliefs affect your behaviour.
Harms caused by gambling are known to impact individuals, families and communities. They can include emotional harm, financial harm and health issues.
If you are having difficulty controlling your gambling, talk to one of our counsellors. We offer free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
There are many ways to prevent gambling addiction, such as getting rid of your credit cards, not gambling with your own money, closing online betting accounts and keeping only a small amount of cash on you. It’s also important to strengthen your support network and find friends who don’t gamble.
People who suffer from gambling problems often experience feelings of depression, anger, and low self-esteem. They may also have thoughts of suicide.