More than 8% of [Australian] adults are negatively impacted by gambling, on some level. And 1% of adults experience extreme gambling harm, meaning they’re gambling at very high risk.

And young people are being increasingly sucked into the world of gambling. About 90% of Australians aged 18-34 who regularly use pokie machines experience gambling-related harms. These include lost savings, severed relationships and other serious consequences.

Certain types of gambling – particularly pokies and online betting – are more harmful than others. And being exposed to these can readily lead to gambling addiction.

So what causes gambling addiction? And can it be treated?

The whole article is worth reading.