Learn The Facts: Gambling

Gambling involves placing money on a game or an event where the result is unknown and uncertain.

Gambling is risking something of value on an activity or event in which the outcome is uncertain in hopes of winning something of material value.

There are two main categories of gambling – chance-based and skill-based.

More than 80 percent of adults gamble at least once a year, and for most, it is a harmless form of entertainment. For some though, gambling isn’t harmless. It is a serious problem.

Problem gambling is often defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others. Problem gambling is an urge to gamble despite negative consequences or a desire to stop. Gambling disorders, like drug and alcohol disorders, affect people from every race, economic background and gender. A problem gambler will wager on whatever game is available, sometimes even creating bets on ordinary, everyday activities.

A simple two-question self-test can help indicate whether someone has a gambling problem.

1. Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?
2. Have you ever had to lie to people important to you about how much you gambled?

If the answer is “yes” to either question, it is likely there may be a gambling problem.

Responsible gambling means making choices and staying in control of how much time and money you spend. 

There are low-risk strategies that can help keep gambling safe and fun.

People who gamble responsibly make sure they know all the facts. They decide in advance how often they will play, how much money and time they will spend, and when to stop. Sometimes, responsible gambling is making a decision not to gamble at all. Gambling responsibly will keep gambling enjoyable, and lower the risk of harm to you, your family or friends.

A person who gambles responsibly:

• Gambles for fun, not to make money or to escape problems.
• Knows that they are very unlikely to win in the long run.
• Does not try to ‘chase’ or win back losses.
• Gambles with money set aside for entertainment and never uses money intended for rent, bills and food.
• Does not borrow money to gamble.
• Does not let gambling affect their relationships with family and friends.

Do you think teens aren’t gambling because they aren’t old enough?

THINK AGAIN! 70% OF TEENS HAVE GAMBLED IN THE LAST YEAR.

For an activity to be ‘gambling’, it needs The 3 R’s:

1. Risk - Something of value will be lost upon losing.
2. Reward - Something of value to be gained upon winning.
3. Random - Everything in life involves random chance. The more random chance involved in a game, the more likely it is a gamble.  

Slot machines and the lottery fit in this description, but the stock market and 50/50 raffles do too! From video games to apps to sports-betting, things have changed in the world of gambling.

For adults, gambling is about doing it safely. To most adults, gambling is a social activity that causes no harm. For some, it leads to problem gambling, or continuing to gamble despite consequences like addiction and mental health concerns.

Teens can never gamble safely. Their brains are still growing and developing.