Gambling is any game or activity where someone risks money or belongings, often for the chance of winning a prize. It can take place in places like casinos, racetracks and sporting events or on the internet.

The word gambling comes from the French word gambit, which means to gamble or wager. In simple terms, a person gambles when they take a risk on something that could be won, such as a football match or scratchcard.

In some cases, it can become a problem and lead to an addiction. This is known as gambling disorder, and it can affect anyone.

If you think your loved one may have a problem with gambling, you should talk to them about it. You can ask them for help or support, and try to set some boundaries in managing their finances.

Harms from gambling are known to impact individuals, families and communities. However, there is no internationally agreed-upon definition of gambling harms and the current landscape of gambling policy and research uses inadequate proxy measures of harm that contribute to a limited understanding of gambling harms.

A number of harms can occur when people gamble, including mental health problems and financial problems. In some cases, gambling can even lead to thoughts of suicide.

In some cases, people can stop gambling on their own but in others, they need help to break the habit. Treatment can include therapy, counselling and support groups. You can also learn to control your own impulses and make smart decisions about gambling.