While occasional gambling can be fun, it can become problematic if you or someone you know is using gambling to make money, distract themselves from problems, or spend more than they can afford. It is important to recognize the signs of gambling problems and seek help if you or someone you know is having trouble with it. To learn more about the signs and how gambling affects the brain, you can take our self-assessment and find support for yourself or a friend or loved one at the links below.

The first thing to remember about gambling is that it’s all about chance. When you place a bet, whether it’s on a football team to win a game or on a scratchcard to reveal a prize, your choice is matched to ‘odds’, set by the betting company. Those odds determine how much you might win or lose, although in reality there is no way to predict the outcome of any event – it’s all down to luck.

Another important thing to remember is that gambling involves a lot of thinking. There are a number of factors that can influence your decision-making, such as the type of reward system in your brain and how well you control impulses. Some people may be genetically predisposed to risk-taking behaviours, or find it difficult to control their emotions. There are also a number of factors that can trigger problem gambling, including depression, stress, substance use and anxiety.

People with lower incomes are more vulnerable to developing a problem with gambling, and they’re also more likely to be influenced by the beliefs of their peers or families about the risks involved. This can lead to them taking more risks or betting more than they can afford in order to try and break even, which is known as chasing losses.

Gambling can be addictive, so it is essential to balance your gambling activity with other activities. It’s also a good idea to avoid gambling when you are feeling depressed or upset, as this can make it harder to make sound decisions about how to play. Finally, you should never gamble on credit and make sure you have enough money to pay your bills.

When you are planning to gamble, it is a good idea to allocate a fixed amount of your disposable income and stick to that amount. Keeping a record of how much you’ve spent will help you to do this and will remind you that it’s time to walk away when you reach your limit. It is also a good idea to avoid chasing your losses, as this can lead to bigger losses in the long run. You should also try to avoid gambling when you’re tired or bored, as this can affect your focus and judgement. Finally, you should avoid gambling while on medication, as this can impact how well you think and cause more harm than good.