Gambling is an activity in which people stake something of value, such as money or possessions, on the outcome of a particular event or game with the hope of winning more than they invested. The activity can take many forms, such as casino games, sports betting and lottery games. While gambling can provide enjoyment and entertainment for some people, it can also result in negative consequences such as addiction and financial hardship.

The economic impact of gambling has been extensively studied, but the social costs and benefits are less well understood. It is important to understand the full extent of the gambling impacts, both positive and negative, to develop effective policies. This article provides a framework for locating the existing literature on gambling impacts and highlights areas of research gaps. It is hoped that this article will serve as the foundation for future research on gambling.

While the definition of gambling varies, most people agree that it involves risking something of value in exchange for a chance to win more than the initial investment. In addition, there is an element of skill. A person can increase the chances of winning by increasing their bet size or by using strategy. In some cases, the gambler may even be able to predict the outcome of the game.

Some people find it difficult to control their gambling habits. Often, they lie about their spending or try to conceal it from others. They may feel the need to gamble in secret because they fear that their significant other will not understand their behavior or that they might lose a large amount of money. In addition, some people feel compelled to continue gambling in the hope of a big win.

Despite the widespread availability of online gambling sites, there are still concerns about the potential health and social consequences of gambling. In some cases, people become addicted to gambling and have problems with relationships, finances, and work performance. They may even experience legal issues.

In addition, gambling can lead to increased demand for social services. It has been associated with higher crime rates, such as violent crimes, and increased costs of public services such as police and prisons. Poorer households spend a larger percentage of their income on gambling, and this trend is more prominent in urban areas.

The literature on gambling impacts is extensive and includes both studies of negative and positive effects. These impacts can be structuralized into three classes: financial, labor and health and well-being. Financial impacts include changes in gambling revenues, tourism and infrastructure cost or value changes. Labor and health and well-being impacts refer to the impact of gambling on gamblers’ personal and professional lives, such as changes in productivity, absenteeism and reduced quality of life. These impacts can be measured using health-related quality of life (HRQL) weights, known as disability weights. They can be used to discover the intangible social costs of gambling and help identify gambling harms that affect the well-being of a gambler’s significant others.