In general, gambling involves placing something of value on an event that has a random outcome, such as betting on a football game or buying a scratchcard. The goal is to win a prize, which can be anything from a small amount of money to a life-changing jackpot. It also can involve a variety of other activities, including video poker, slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and craps.

While some people may have gambling problems, not all do. It’s important to recognize and understand what gambling is and how it works so that you can stay healthy and safe.

In the past, the medical community often viewed individuals who had negative consequences from gambling as having “problems with their gambling.” This changed in the mid-1990s when psychiatrists began to diagnose pathological gambling as a psychological disorder, similar to alcoholism. This change is based on an emerging understanding of the biology that underlies addiction and the development of treatments to treat it.

If you’re concerned about a loved one’s gambling, talk with them and seek help for any underlying mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. Gambling can make those issues worse. It’s also important to balance gambling with other activities, and never use money that you need for basic needs (like rent or food) to gamble. Set a time limit for yourself when you gamble, and leave when you reach it, even if you’re winning. You can also try to avoid chasing losses, as the more you try to win back your money, the more likely you are to lose it all again.