Gambling is any activity in which wealth (money or material goods) is risked on an uncertain outcome that involves an element of chance. It includes betting on sports, lottery games, scratchcards, fruit machines, casino games, and card games. While it can have some health benefits, gambling should be seen as a form of entertainment and not a main source of income.
Research has shown that gambling harms occur at the individual, interpersonal and community/societal levels. While the personal level relates to gamblers themselves and often includes financial difficulties, such as losing money, the effects of gambling can also be seen at an interpersonal level when a gambler negatively impacts their significant others. Community/societal harms include a decrease in social cohesion and the ability to provide for basic needs, and can escalate into other serious problems like family violence and mental illness.
The causes of gambling harm are complex and multifaceted, with a combination of both genetic and environmental factors contributing to the behavior. The easy availability and advertising of gambling products promotes its uptake. The physical accessibility of gambling opportunities – particularly those with high-intensity products such as EGMs and sports betting – increases its uptake as well. People who live in areas of disadvantage are more likely to be exposed to gambling, and these venues are often located within their communities. Studies of identical twins have shown that gambling behavior is moderately heritable, and that environmental factors influence it significantly as well.