Gambling involves wagering something of value (typically money) on a random event, with the intent of winning another item of value. Instances of strategy are discounted. Gambling can occur in many forms, including but not limited to lotteries, card games, casino games, dice, bingo and sporting events. Some of these activities are more acceptable to society than others, such as a quick game of poker with friends. Nonetheless, these types of social and recreational activities can be problematic for some people.

Often, gamblers do not realize that they are problem gamblers until the gambler becomes severely addicted. The signs of a gambling problem include:

Often, people start gambling for financial reasons. They want to win big and have dreams about what they would do if they won. They may also be looking for a rush or high. In addition, they might think that they are due for a big win and will get their money back soon. This is called the “gambler’s fallacy.” If you start thinking this way, it is time to stop gambling. Always be sure to play with a fixed amount of money that you are prepared to lose, and never chase your losses. Moreover, never rely on someone else to give you money to gamble with. This is a recipe for disaster.