Gambling is any activity in which you risk something of value in the hope of winning a prize. This can include betting on football matches, buying scratchcards or playing card games. It is a common activity in commercial establishments such as casinos, racetracks and sporting events but it also takes place at home with friends or family. Usually people gamble to win money but sometimes they can lose more than they gain. Some people become too heavily involved in gambling to be healthy, leading to a problem known as pathological gambling. Pathological gambling can have serious negative personal, family and financial consequences.

Unlike other forms of addiction, which can be triggered by a specific chemical or environmental factor, gambling has no one cause. However, there are a number of factors that may increase your risk of developing a gambling problem. These include age, social and cultural background, genetics and medical history. Problem gambling can affect anyone and doesn’t discriminate between rich and poor, young or old.

The main impulse driving gambling is the desire for a thrill. However, it can also be driven by the desire to compete or by a need for social interaction. Many people also consider gambling a form of relaxation, providing an escape from the stresses and worries of everyday life. Some people find that they have a natural tendency to gamble while others develop a gambling habit as a result of other problems such as depression, anxiety or an eating disorder.

While most people do not develop a gambling problem, it is estimated that around 10% of people experience some form of problem gambling. This can be a mild form of the condition where you experience occasional problems or it can be more severe and involve frequent and prolonged gambling activities.

Research suggests that some people are genetically predisposed to the urge to seek out thrill-seeking behaviour and impulsivity. The condition is associated with changes in brain reward pathways and can lead to a lack of control over behavioural responses and the ability to weigh risks and benefits. It can also make it difficult to recognize when a gambling activity is out of control and may be harmful.

Although gambling is legal in most countries, it can be addictive. There is a growing role for doctors to evaluate their patients’ gambling behaviours in primary care settings and look for signs of pathological gambling. Doctors should be able to recognise when someone’s gambling is causing them harm and offer support and treatment where needed.