Gambling involves betting something of value, usually money, on an uncertain event whose outcome is determined by chance. People gamble for a variety of reasons including the desire to win, thrill seeking, escapism and social interaction. For some people gambling is an enjoyable pastime that can lead to positive outcomes, but for many it can have serious negative impacts on their physical and mental health, relationships, work and study performance and can even result in homelessness. It’s important to understand the impact of gambling and how to recognise harmful behaviour.

Despite the fact that gambling is a legal activity in most countries, there are still a lot of hidden costs and risks associated with it. These impacts are felt by the gambler, their significant others and the wider community. In the context of public health, these costs and benefits can be assessed using an economic and social model which looks at the individual, interpersonal and society/community level impacts of gambling.

Gambling has an enormous impact on the economy and is a major contributor to national debt, poverty, family breakdown, criminality and suicide. It is estimated that at least 4.2% of suicides worldwide are gambling related (2). It is a common belief that gambling is only about money but there is more to it than that. It is also about meeting basic human needs, such as the need for status and specialness. Casinos are built around this principle and they promote their products as “high end” and “special”. This is also reflected in gambling advertisements that can be seen on television, on social media and as sponsors of sporting teams.

In a world where loneliness is on the rise, gambling venues provide an informal place for people to meet and socialise. In addition, the excitement of winning and losing stimulates our brain’s dopamine system. This sensation of reward is a form of positive reinforcement that can help people feel in control.

It is essential to recognize the signs and symptoms of harmful gambling behaviour and get help if you are struggling with it. In addition to support from family and friends, organisations such as Gamblers Anonymous can be helpful for people in recovery. It’s also important to keep up with regular exercise, practice urge postponement techniques and pursue hobbies that are fulfilling. This can reduce feelings of boredom and isolation, which often trigger cravings for gambling.

Attempting to quantify the benefits of gambling by using consumer surplus can be problematic, as this method places an arbitrary monetary value on things that aren’t necessarily monetary. Furthermore, attempts to measure the effects of gambling on a personal level, such as impacts on gamblers’ families and communities, have faced challenges due to the difficulty of assessing non-monetary effects.