Gambling is placing something of value, such as money, on an event with a random outcome in the hope of winning a prize. The event or game may be anything from a lottery ticket, a scratch-off ticket, a casino game such as blackjack, poker, slots, baccarat, roulette, or horse racing to a sports event such as basketball, football, or boxing. Other types of gambling include games that use marbles, trading cards, pogs, or other collectibles as stakes. It can also involve a skill element, such as card sharping or poker.
A significant portion of the world’s population engages in gambling activities at some point during their lives, but for many people this becomes a serious problem.