How to Stop Gambling

Gambling is an activity where you risk money or something of value to predict the outcome of a game involving chance. This includes betting on horse races, lotteries and casinos.

Problem gambling can be difficult to spot and can affect people’s health, relationships and finances. It can also lead to serious legal consequences and criminal activity.

It can also make you feel tense and nervous. You may feel like you’re losing control of yourself or your life, and it can be hard to stop.

There are healthier ways to relieve unpleasant feelings. You can try exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, or practicing relaxation techniques.

You can also get help to stop or control your gambling. You can use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to change the way you think about gambling. This will help you learn to change your beliefs about betting, such as that you’re more likely to win than you really are, that certain rituals will bring you luck, and that winning back losses will help you avoid relapse.

It’s not worth using money that you need to pay for things such as bills or rent. Instead, allocate a small amount of disposable income for gambling and always stick to your budget.