Whether you’re betting on your favourite team winning or watching the horse race at a track, gambling can be fun and exciting. But it can also be harmful if you’re not in control of your spending habits. Problem gambling can affect your mental health, relationships, performance at work or study and your physical health. It can also lead to debt and even homelessness.
The good news is that the vast majority of people who gamble do so responsibly and can control their spending. But it’s important to recognise the signs that gambling has become problematic for you or someone close to you, and know when to seek help.
Gambling involves choosing what to bet on – such as a football team, horse race or scratchcard – and then placing a bet based on the ‘odds’ that betting companies set (e.g. 5/1 or 2/1 for a football team). The odds are the chance of the event occurring, and they’re usually displayed on a betting slip or screen.
When you win, your brain releases a chemical called dopamine that makes you feel happy. But it can also make you feel addicted to gambling if you keep losing. Some people are more vulnerable to developing a gambling problem, including those with low incomes who have more to lose and young people who are more likely to start gambling at a younger age. Other risk factors include a family history of gambling, boredom susceptibility, impulsivity, use of escape coping and stress.
