Gambling, defined as any activity in which money or goods of value are placed at stake with the hope of reaping greater returns, is illegal in many jurisdictions and causes serious negative repercussions for individuals and society as a whole. Gambling’s negative repercussions can be measured on various dimensions including financial, labor and health and well-being effects – these negative outcomes have been observed at individual, interpersonal and community/societal levels.
Even while some gamble responsibly without experiencing problems, others overindulge and gamble beyond their means. Some individuals end up gambling away their savings, homes, families, jobs and debts that prevent them from paying bills or purchasing food or clothing. Gambling may lead to depression and anxiety as well as interfere with family and work life and affect relationships negatively.
Gambling’s socialization element has long been seen as a positive aspect, likely as a result of media portrayals portraying it as enjoyable, seductive and fashionable. Other benefits may include relaxing from daily stresses while providing an outlet to escape them; gambling trips to casinos or sports venues that are several hours’ drive away may also provide great group activity opportunities for friends and colleagues.
There have been various approaches taken to examine gambling impacts. One is cost-benefit analysis model, which measures changes to quality of life (using disability weights) and attempts to uncover positive outcomes. Another approach uses cost of illness model which emphasizes direct and indirect costs to gambler’s family members and society in general. Finally, social impact approach seeks to determine how gambling influences other members of community.
Gambling can have serious repercussions for an individual and their loved ones as well as on the wider community, including emotional distress, relationship conflicts and money issues resulting in problems at work or school. Gambling effects may be especially profound among adolescents, veterans, aging adults and Latino/Asian communities.
Gambling can be reduced by restricting access to funds necessary for its pursuit. This could involve cutting down the number of credit cards held, assigning trusted people the responsibility for managing the finances, closing online betting accounts or forgoing gambling establishment visits altogether. People struggling with gambling should seek professional assistance and assistance as soon as they recognize any problem. Successful treatment programs address both underlying issues and behaviors associated with gambling, such as lying to loved ones about spending habits or hiding funds; borrowing from family or coworkers to fund gambling activities; or spending too much time gambling activities. Stress-reduction techniques and physical exercise should also be routinely practiced to help minimize gambling addiction risks. Mindfulness practices may also play a vital role in mitigating such dangers by making individuals more aware of feelings experienced while gambling and staying focused in the present moment.