Gambling is the act of risking something of value on a random event with the aim of winning a prize. This could be money, goods or services.
It can take many forms, including lottery tickets and scratch-offs, fruit machines, video poker, slot machines and two-up, or even wagering on business or insurance markets. It can be a fun way to spend time, but it can also become addictive and cause problems.
If you’re going to gamble, decide how much you can afford to lose and stick to it. This is important, as gambling can be a dangerous habit if you’re prone to losing money or running up debts.
Think about why you are gambling and why you want to gamble. It might be to feel better, to distract yourself from a problem or to win money back.
Treat it like you would any other form of entertainment: limit your budget, use disposable income and keep it for non-gambling purposes.
Set a dollar limit and make sure you are ready to lose that amount before you start playing. Create boundaries for yourself and never take out more money to try and get back what you’ve lost.
It is a good idea to consult your doctor when you are concerned about gambling, especially if you’re feeling depressed or worried about how it may affect your mental health. You may need to try cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help you change the way you think about gambling and stop it becoming an addiction.