Gambling is the act of placing a wager on an event or outcome, whether that’s a game of chance like roulette and blackjack, or a skill-based activity like poker and sportsbetting/horse racing. It’s a popular pastime around the world, although it is illegal in many countries. The most common way to gamble is through a lottery, where people pay money for the opportunity to win a prize. Other common gambling activities include betting on horse races, sports events, and casino games.

Psychiatrists treat problem gambling in the same way as they would any other addiction. They will work with you to understand your thought processes and beliefs about gambling, and help you change them. They will often use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing unhelpful beliefs and behaviours. For example, if you have the belief that certain rituals make you more likely to win, or that you can recover any losses by gambling more, CBT will help you challenge these thoughts and replace them with more helpful ones.

The first evidence of gambling dates back to ancient China, when tiles were unearthed that appeared to be used for a rudimentary game of chance. Since then, it’s become one of the most widespread and popular pastimes in the world. However, there’s also a growing concern that gambling is becoming more than just a fun hobby; for some, it’s causing serious harm to their mental health, relationships and finances.