Gambling refers to games where you wager money (or other valuables) on an outcome. Most of these games rely entirely on chance. Some, such as poker, may involve skill, but all still include an uncontrollable element of randomness.

This means it is impossible to predict or control the outcome with certainty.

In short, everything ultimately depends on chance.

What is it? Casinos, slot machines, sports betting, lottery tickets, dice games, bingo, bets between friends, loot boxes in video games, etc.

Also called… Gambling, betting, wagers, odds.

Someone might choose to gamble for…

• The hope of winning money. The possibility of winning money quickly and the dream of becoming rich can be very tempting, although the chances of losing are significantly higher, to be honest.

• Thrill-seeking. The unpredictability and excitement of gambling can create an adrenaline rush or “buzz.”

• Escaping reality. Some people gamble to temporarily forget their responsibilities or their emotions.

• Entertainment. Some people simply gamble for pleasure.

• Social aspect. Some games, such as sports betting or poker, can be played with friends and may serve as opportunities to socialize.

• Instant gratification. Even without monetary wins, small victories, bonuses, and “near misses” can make people want to play again. The brain associates these moments with a sense of reward, which can create a desire to continue over and over.

However, gambling can also…

• Cause financial losses. The idea of making easy money can be appealing, but in most cases, the money wagered is lost. Statistically, the more you play, the more you lose.

• Lead to dependence. Gambling is now accessible at all times online. It is designed to capture attention and can become addictive, which makes it difficult to stop even when someone wants to.

• Lead to social isolation. If too much time is spent gambling, there is a risk of neglecting relationships and other activities, leading to isolation.

• Impact mental health. The pressure of always wanting to win or to try to recover lost money can lead to significant anxiety and stress.

If you choose to gamble, be aware that…

Gambling is not a harmless or risk-free activity. Even without using substances, it is possible to become caught in a pattern where gambling turns into a habit that negatively affects your life.

One of the main risks for developing problematic gambling behaviour comes from a misunderstanding of chance and how it works in games.

Here are three common misconceptions about gambling :

• Independence of each round. Each round of a game is completely independent of the previous ones. This means that the outcome of one round does not depend on what happened before. For example, if you flip a coin several times and get “heads” each time, it does not mean the next flip is more likely to be “tails.”

• Illusion of control. Some people believe that certain choices or actions—such as picking a specific number (e.g., a birthday) or following rituals (e.g., scratching your right eyebrow before playing)—can influence the outcome of a game. To be honest, these actions have no real impact on the result.

• Negative return rate. In the long term, gambling is designed so that players lose more money than they win. For example, in a casino, even if someone wins occasionally on a slot machine, the machine always keeps a portion of the money wagered. The more a person plays, the more they tend to lose… and the more money the casino makes.