Gambling is an activity in which you risk something of value (such as money, property, or reputation) on the outcome of a game involving chance. It can be done in a wide range of ways, including scratchcards, lotteries, sports betting, or even online poker. The aim is to win a prize if you predict the outcome correctly, but if you lose your stake, you will have lost money.

There are many reasons people gamble, from coping with problems to having fun and socialising. Some people become addicted to gambling and may need help to stop.

Whether you’re worried about someone else or your own gambling habits, there are things you can do to stay in control. Keep in mind that the best way to beat a problem is not just to stop gambling, but to replace it with new activities that you can enjoy.

Some people’s gambling becomes a serious problem that has negative personal, family, and financial impacts. People with this kind of problem are known as disordered gamblers. They engage in gambling behavior that varies from behaviours that are a potential risk for developing a more serious problem to behaviors that meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria for pathological gambling. These disordered gamblers are more likely to commit illegal acts, such as forgery or theft, to finance their gambling. They also lie to family members, therapists, and others to conceal the extent of their involvement in gambling.