Gambling is a widespread activity that involves betting on the outcome of a game. In some cases, the stakes are real money; in others, they are not. While gambling is widely legalized in some jurisdictions, it is illegal in most others.

There are many risks associated with gambling, including addiction and a lack of control over impulses. It is also often accompanied by feelings of anxiety, guilt, and shame. It can lead to isolation and family problems, as well as financial loss and bankruptcy. Fortunately, help is available. Treatment programs may include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, group and family therapy, hypnotherapy, and other techniques. They may also include marriage, career and credit counseling. Some families have found it helpful to have a professional set boundaries in managing their finances and credit, as problem gamblers tend to spend beyond their means.

While there is a strong consensus that gambling is an impulsive behavior, the relationship between this and other dimensions of disinhibition has not been systematically investigated. It is possible that these dimensions, such as sensation-and novelty-seeking, arousal, and negative emotionality, are interrelated and affect initiation into and progression of gambling behavior.

A number of methods and assumptions have been used to quantify the socioeconomic impacts of gambling. These include the cost of illness model (similar to the approach taken with alcohol and drug research), economic cost-benefit analysis, and placing a monetary value on non-monetary harms. While these methodologies have yielded valuable insights, they have not been able to capture the full range of benefits and costs of gambling.