Gambling involves staking something of value (like money or time) on an event with an uncertain outcome. This may be a lottery, sports game or buying scratchcards. It is often based on chance but can involve skill as well – for example, when you buy a football team ticket, you are making a choice about which team to back. This choice is matched to ‘odds’ which are set by betting companies and indicate how much you could win if you won.

In the modern world, gambling is usually a form of entertainment, but it can have harmful effects. It can hurt a person’s health and relationships, cause financial problems and even lead to homelessness. People are at different risk of developing a gambling problem, and the type of gambling they engage in is influenced by their circumstances and environment. People who spend more time playing video and mobile games are at greater risk of developing a problem, as are older people. Men tend to gamble more than women, but this is not always the case.

Research shows that the factors that contribute to harmful gambling include the accessibility of gambling products and how they are promoted. This includes the fact that many gambling products are advertised on television, online and in social media, and that they are often disproportionately available in areas of greater disadvantage. It also means that many people don’t receive effective counter-messaging about the risks of gambling.