When a person’s gambling affects their well-being—whether in their personal, family, social or professional life—and their loved ones, we can say this person has a gambling problem.  

Developing a gambling problem depends on several factors: 

• The person themselves (personality traits, family history, gambling history, etc.), 
• The game being played (structural features and how it works) and 
• The gambling environment (e.g., the games’ geographical accessibility, when they’re available and how socially accepted they are).

These factors are inseparable. This is why some people will lose control while others won’t, even though they play the same games.