The term ‘gambling’ encompasses many activities that involve risking something of value on a random event, with the intent of winning something else of value. Examples of gambling include sports betting, scratch tickets and online poker. Gambling is a social activity and it can bring people together, and it also teaches them to make decisions, use strategies and anticipate consequences. However, some people have difficulty recognizing that they are gambling too much, and this can cause problems.

Problem gambling is often the result of an underlying emotional or mental health issue, such as depression, anxiety or boredom. People who gamble to alleviate these feelings are at increased risk of developing a gambling problem, because the activity can trigger negative emotions such as guilt or stress. In addition, problematic gambling can lead to a lack of self-esteem and impulsive behaviours.

Despite its dark side, gambling also has some positive impacts, such as bringing pleasure and entertainment to people, increasing social interactions and improving people’s psychological wellbeing. It can also serve as an alternative to harmful substances and help to relieve boredom.

The majority of research into gambling has focused on its negative effects and the associated costs, but there are a number of methodological issues that have been debated. These concerns centre on how to measure and quantify social impacts, and whether or not they should be included in calculations of the total cost/benefit of gambling. The literature has categorized these impacts into three classes: financial, labor, and health and well-being.