Whether it’s on sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slot machines—in the casino, on TV, or online—a gambling problem can turn from a harmless diversion into an unhealthy obsession with serious consequences. A person with a gambling disorder may suffer social, family, and financial disaster. In some cases, they may even do things they never imagined themselves doing, like running up huge debts or stealing to gamble.

There are many reasons people gamble, from socializing to mental development and skill improvement. It can be an escape from stress and anxiety, or a way to meet social needs such as feeling important or belonging. Gambling also provides a chance to win money, which can improve a person’s life. But there are negative effects too. These can be categorized at personal, interpersonal and community/societal levels (see figure below).

Researchers, psychiatrists, other treatment care clinicians, and public policy makers all frame questions about gambling differently, depending on their disciplinary training, expertise, and interests. This has created a lack of consensus about the definition of gambling and the nature of gambling problems. Nevertheless, there are some important features that are common to all gambling activities: