The simplest definition of gambling is placing something of value (money or other goods) on an event that has a chance to result in an outcome, such as the outcome of a lottery draw or scratchcard game. The event that is the target of a gambler’s bet can be anything, including a football match, video poker, slot machine, or any other game in which a player places a bet with an objective of winning money or other items.
Gambling has been shown to have negative impacts at the individual, interpersonal and community/societal level. These impacts have been characterized as costs and benefits, and the monetary cost of gambling has been a major focus of research, particularly for problem gambling.
However, putting a monetary value on these types of social costs is not without its challenges. First, the problem gambling affecting an individual is often co-occurring with other difficulties, such as substance abuse, which makes it difficult to determine whether the difficulty is caused by their gambling activity alone.
Ultimately, the best way to reduce the harm associated with gambling is to stop doing it. Whenever possible, only gamble with money that you can afford to lose, and do not spend any money that you need for bills or other expenses on gambling. And if you do decide to gamble, remember that you should only be doing it for entertainment purposes and not as a way to make money. Always tip your dealer regularly, either by handing them a chip and clearly saying it is for you or by placing a bet for them. It’s a small gesture that can really help.