The word ‘gambling’ can mean different things to people, but it often refers to betting money on something with an unknown outcome – for example, placing a bet on a football match or buying a scratchcard. Gambling is a behaviour that involves risk and an element of chance, and it can be an addictive activity. People who have a gambling problem may experience distress, problems with relationships and financial issues. Gambling problems affect men and women of all ages, but some groups are more at risk than others. These include those with low incomes and young people, especially boys and men.

Gambling can also be seen as a way to escape from reality. It glorifies luck and superstition and denies God’s sovereignty (Job 42:2, Romans 11:36). It can encourage laziness, instead of hard work and honest labour for a reward (Ephesians 4:28), and it can even lead to stealing, which is condemned in Scripture (1 Thessalonians 2:8).

There are a few simple steps to help control the urge to gamble:

1. Take some time out from gambling.
2. Talk about your gambling with someone who won’t judge you. This could be a family member, friend or professional counsellor. 3. Reduce your financial risk factors. For example, stop using credit cards, don’t carry large amounts of cash and close all your online betting accounts. 4. Try to fill the void that gambling leaves in your life with other activities, like hobbies, exercise, spending time with friends who don’t gamble and socialising with family members.

Keeping a journal of your gambling experiences can be useful to identify patterns and triggers for gambling. You can also use this journal to set goals to break your gambling habit.

A gambling addiction can have many causes and there is no one type of gambling that is more addictive than another. There are however some things that can increase your chances of developing a gambling disorder. For example, you are more likely to develop a gambling problem if you have family members who have a gambling addiction and if you start gambling at a young age.

There are a number of ways to treat gambling addiction, including counselling, self-help and peer support. Counselling can be beneficial for both individuals and families, and it can help you to resolve the personal and financial problems that gambling has caused. You can find a counsellor by searching the Better Health Channel or asking your GP for a referral. Peer support is also available through organisations such as Gamblers Anonymous, which is based on the 12-step recovery model developed by Alcoholics Anonymous. This support can be invaluable to anyone trying to quit gambling and maintain their recovery. A key part of this support is finding a sponsor, who is a former gambler who has experienced recovery from a gambling addiction. This can be a life-changing experience. It is important to seek help for a gambling problem as soon as you notice it is an issue, to minimise damage and distress.