The Risks and Impacts of Gambling
Gambling is an activity where people risk something of value for the chance to win a prize. It is common in casinos, racetracks and on the internet. People gamble for a variety of reasons: social, financial and entertainment. Some people struggle with gambling addiction, a medical condition that affects an individual’s ability to control their impulses and gamble responsibly. In addition to its negative impacts on individuals and families, problem gambling can cause serious economic damage. It may even result in debt and homelessness. The good news is that many organisations offer help, support and advice to help people overcome their gambling problems.
Some people who gamble are not addicted and enjoy the hobby. However, a significant proportion of people who gamble are at risk of developing a gambling disorder and should seek treatment for their symptoms. People who are unable to control their urges and cannot stop gambling, even when they are in debt, should receive treatment. It is possible to treat gambling addiction with cognitive-behavioral therapy, which teaches people to challenge their irrational beliefs and behaviours. For example, one belief that people often hold is that a recent loss is a sign they are due a win. This is called the gambler’s fallacy.
The risk of gambling can affect people’s physical and mental health, family relationships, performance at work or study, or get them into trouble with the law. It can also lead to gambling-related depression and suicide. According to Public Health England, over half of the UK population takes part in some form of gambling activity. But for some, it can become a harmful habit, and it is easy to lose track of how much time and money they are spending on the games. People who are worried about their gambling should talk to someone they trust who won’t judge them and seek help.
While the positive impact of gambling on society can be seen at a national level in terms of increased revenue for local services and infrastructure, gambling has negative impacts at the personal, interpersonal and community/society levels. Those at the personal level include gamblers and their significant others; those at the interpersonal level refer to the effects of gambling on friends, family and co-workers; and those at the community/society level include the effect of gambling on the quality of life of those not involved in the activity (using disability weights).
The long-term effects of problem gambling can change an individual’s course of action and make it harder for them to recognize when they have a problem. This may be because of a lack of awareness about the risks of gambling, or because some cultures view it as a normal pastime and thus it can be hard to recognise when it has become a serious issue. In addition, some people may not want to admit they have a gambling problem and may hide evidence of their gambling, or lie about how much they spend on the activities.