Gambling is an activity where people risk something of value in activities based on chance in the hope of winning. It is present in virtually all societies and has been incorporated into local customs and rites of passage throughout history. It has made millionaires of some, and has ruined the lives of others. It has promoted the belief in riches and moments of grandeur while denigrating the biblical work ethic which links honest labour with reward.

Whether it is playing games of chance, betting on sports or events, buying lottery tickets or entering casino doors, gambling activates the brain’s reward system in much the same way that alcohol or drugs do. Like alcohol or drugs, it can lead to a range of problems, from those who only experience a ‘mild’ problem (subclinical) to those whose behaviour meets the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for pathological gambling (PG).

Gambling can contribute to financial stress, relationship breakdown, family violence, mental illness and suicide. It can also leave a legacy of harm that endures through life and can even be transmitted intergenerationally. There are several population-wide interventions that can help to reduce gambling-related harm including ending advertising and promotion, universal pre-commitment (requiring people who gamble to set binding loss limits) and self-exclusion from gambling providers. These are most effective when used in combination with other upstream efforts. Talking with someone you trust – a friend or a professional counsellor – is also helpful.