Gambling involves risking something of value – often money – in an attempt to win a prize. It can include playing games like card games and fruit machines, betting on events such as horse or greyhound races, football accumulators or elections, or even trying your hand at lottery tickets or scratchcards. It can also involve speculating on business, insurance or stock markets.

While gambling is a fun activity for many people, it can be addictive and can damage relationships with family members and friends, cause financial problems, harm performance at work or study, lead to serious debt and even threaten life or suicide. Public Health England estimates that more than 400 people die from problem gambling each year. In addition, it can affect a person’s mental and physical health, making them feel down or depressed. Compulsive gambling is more common in men than in women. However, it is possible for anyone to develop a gambling addiction.

Research shows that the way in which a person is exposed to gambling influences their likelihood of developing a gambling problem. This is because social norms, which are the behavioural standards of groups, can influence individual attitudes and behaviour. For example, a group of friends who visit the racetrack together may develop friendships and a close subculture that supports their gambling habits. A similar pattern occurs amongst groups of people who play poker or bingo together.

Another reason that gambling can be addictive is because it gives people a feeling of excitement, achievement and gratification. It can also relieve boredom or loneliness and distract people from their problems. Many people also use gambling to self-soothe unpleasant feelings and emotions, such as after a difficult day at work or after an argument with their partner. However, there are healthier ways to relieve these feelings. Gambling is also often used to avoid boredom and can be a form of entertainment for younger children.

A number of cognitive biases make it hard for people to accurately perceive odds in gambling. These biases can distort the way that people choose which bets to place and how much they bet.

A further factor that can affect a person’s chances of developing a gambling problem is whether they have a family member or friend who has a gambling addiction. In some cases, it can be a hereditary trait that means people are more likely to become addicted to gambling. The risk of developing a gambling problem is also higher for people who start gambling at an early age. In general, people who have a more positive attitude towards gambling are less likely to become compulsive gamblers. However, this is not always the case and compulsive gambling can occur at any age. It is, therefore, important for people to recognise the signs of a problem and seek help if they think they are at risk. This includes keeping track of how much time they spend gambling, having someone else manage their finances, closing online accounts and limiting the amount of cash that is kept on them when they gamble.