Gambling is any activity in which you stake something of value for the chance to win more. It can be anything from betting on a football match to buying a scratchcard. Gambling can be a fun and social activity, but it is important to remember that it is not risk free. People who gamble experience harms such as relationship breakdown, family violence and financial distress. It can also lead to debt, depression and suicide. In low and middle income countries, gambling can lead to poverty by diverting household spending from essential goods and services. It can also contribute to corruption and the erosion of civil institutions.

Gamblers have a variety of cognitive and motivational biases that influence their gambling preferences and behaviour. These can be reinforced by the design features of many gambling products (e.g. EGMs) and the way they are promoted in many settings, through sponsorship and aggressive marketing. These ‘dark nudges’ can help increase gambling uptake and normalization, and undermine the effectiveness of health promotion messaging.

Private gambling is often defined as playing card games like poker, blackjack or bridge with friends and family in a home setting, where participants wager money or chips with the aim of enjoyment and social interaction. It can also include placing bets on sports events like football matches, horse races or lottery results with friends and family within a social circle – this is known as social gambling. Gambling can be more problematic if it involves placing bets with strangers or on websites or venues where profits are made through gambling.