Gambling is when people risk money or other items of value on games of chance. These can include betting on football matches or buying scratchcards. If you win you get money, but if you lose it you get nothing.
The odds of winning and losing are set by the company running the game. For example, you might be given odds of 5/1 that a certain team will win a football match. You can’t influence these odds.
You need to decide if gambling is right for you. If it’s not, then you need to stop it.
When gambling becomes a problem, it can affect other areas of your life. This could include your health, relationships, studies or work performance.
If you have a gambling problem, you need help to change your behaviour and cope with it. There are many organisations that can support you.
The first step is to learn about gambling. This includes learning about its risks, how it affects your brain and what to do if you are worried about someone else’s gambling.
A second step is to make a plan for how you will manage your money and your time. This could include letting others in on your money, using the bank to pay for your gambling, closing your online betting accounts or keeping only a small amount of cash on you.
You can also find information about problem gambling by speaking to your GP or other health professionals. They can refer you to a specialised service.