Gambling can be fun, but it can also lead to serious problems if it is not controlled. It can harm your health, relationships and performance at work or study. It can also get you into trouble with the law and leave you in debt or homelessness.

It can affect your family too!

If you have a loved one with gambling addiction, it can be difficult to know how to help. You might feel that it is your job to control their spending and keep them accountable.

You can try to find a support network to help you and your loved one. Join a group like Gamblers Anonymous or contact a family counselling service for help.

Some of the benefits of gambling include reduced stress, improved mental health and better hand-eye coordination. It can also stimulate different brain parts and improve concentration, memory and creativity.

Taking risks in a controlled environment is also helpful for boosting creative and problem-solving skills. It can also help you learn to manage your money effectively.

Socializing and forming friendships is another benefit of gambling. It can give you the opportunity to meet new people and make friends with others who share your same passion for gambling.

Studies have focused on assessing the impact of gambling using economic cost-benefit analysis (CBA). However, this approach fails to account for social impacts. These impacts can be nonmonetary, and are often hard to measure.