Gambling is the betting or staking of something of value, with conscious risk and hope of gain, on an uncertain event. People gamble for many reasons, including to escape from boredom, to self-soothe unpleasant emotions, or to socialize. However, some people become too involved in gambling and develop a problem. This is known as gambling disorder and is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. People who have a gambling disorder lose control over their behavior and may be unable to stop even when they’ve lost money or have hurt or strained relationships.

Most adults and adolescents engage in some form of gambling, and most do so without any problems. A small subset of these people, however, develop a serious gambling problem. They spend an excessive amount of time and money on gambling and continue to gamble despite negative personal, family, work, and social impacts. They also hide their involvement with gambling from others and lie about how much they gamble.

In addition to the financial losses, individuals who have a gambling disorder often experience psychological and emotional distress. They may feel helpless, guilty, anxious, or depressed. They are also likely to have trouble sleeping, which can lead to fatigue and a lack of energy. They also may have difficulty concentrating at school or work and are prone to impulsive actions that they later regret.

Those who have a gambling disorder are more likely to be male and younger than those who do not. They also are more likely to live in areas where gambling is prevalent. The risk of developing a gambling disorder increases with age, but it also depends on the individual’s temperament and environment. Those with a family history of gambling disorder are at increased risk as well.

Some studies claim that gambling has positive economic effects, but most fail to make a thorough effort to identify both benefits and costs. They tend to focus on gross impact (i.e., total income, employment, and taxes paid) and fail to consider substitution effects and geographic scope. Other studies use a simplistic before-and-after comparison of an area with and without gambling, attributing any changes to the introduction of gambling.

In order to prevent a gambling addiction, it’s important for people to find other ways to cope with feelings of boredom or stress. Instead of turning to gambling, they should try exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, and practicing relaxation techniques. They should also avoid drinking and other drugs, as they can exacerbate gambling addiction symptoms.