Gambling is when you risk something of value (like money) on a chance outcome that’s out of your control or influence. It can include a wide range of activities, including betting on sports events, buying scratchcards, playing online poker and even DIY investing.

Problem gambling can affect people of any age, but it is more common in men and those who are more isolated or depressed. Young children who spend too much time playing video and mobile games, many of which require micro-transactions and payments, can also become a problem. It can also be harder to recognise when gambling becomes a problem as it is less obvious than other addictions, such as alcohol or drugs.

If you have a problem with gambling, there are a number of things you can do to help yourself. One is to stop thinking of gambling as a way to make money. Instead, think of it as a form of entertainment that you have to pay for, just like going out to a movie or having dinner with friends. That can help you keep it in perspective and reduce your urges to gamble.

Another thing you can do is to avoid high-risk situations, such as using credit cards, taking out loans or carrying large amounts of cash with you. You can also try to socialise in ways that don’t involve gambling, such as joining a book club or a hobby group, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, exercising or doing something else you enjoy. You might also consider talking about your problem with someone who won’t judge you, such as a friend or therapist. You might want to look at peer support groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous, which is based on the 12-step recovery model used by Alcoholics Anonymous.

You might also try to cut down on the amount of money you spend on gambling, or even stop gambling altogether. But this can be difficult, especially if you have spent a long time building up your gambling habits and are now losing more than you’re winning. You might feel compelled to gamble in secret or lie about how much you’re spending, and you may find it hard to walk away from the game when you’ve lost money. Some pathological gamblers will keep gambling until they’ve spent everything they have, or even more, in a desperate attempt to win it back (“chasing their losses”). They may even steal or commit fraud to fund their gambling activities, jeopardising jobs, relationships and education opportunities. Often, they can’t stop gambling because they are always predicting future wins and believing that they’ll eventually catch up to their losses. They might even become suicidal or die as a result of their gambling behaviour. If this is the case for you, you should seek help immediately. Fortunately, there are plenty of help and support services available. You can find out more by visiting the Royal College of Psychiatrists website.