Gambling involves risking something of value — money, possessions or your reputation — on an event with an uncertain outcome. It can be fun, but it can also be dangerous and result in serious harm.

A growing body of evidence shows that gambling is linked to health, social and financial harms. For example, gambling can lead to stress and depression, and it may affect people’s productivity at work or study. It can also cause family breakdown and increase the risk of self-harm or suicide.

The behaviours that often accompany gambling — lying, cheating and stealing — can have devastating effects on the wellbeing of people and their families. They can lead to financial hardship, job loss, domestic abuse and relationship breakdown, as well as a decrease in work or study performance. They can also contribute to feelings of depression, anxiety and guilt. In some cases, these harmful behaviours can even lead to death.

The social practice theory approach to gambling can help inform effective strategies for reducing gambling-related harm. It recognises that a complex set of factors can frame a nexus of social practices, including socio-cultural constructs such as rituals, mateship, winning and success, and social status, along with ideology like neoliberalism. These can influence what is available, how it is marketed and the ways that people interact with gambling. A comprehensive harm reduction strategy needs to take these factors into account. Keeping up with research on gambling is essential, as is understanding how different forms of gambling are used to promote their appeal and what the evidence tells us about their effectiveness.