Public Health Impacts of Gambling
Gambling is any activity that involves putting something of value at risk in exchange for the chance of winning something else of value. It can take many forms, from betting on a football match or buying a scratchcard to playing casino games and online slot machines. Most people who gamble do so responsibly, but a small percentage develop gambling disorder, which is recognised in the DSM-5 as a mental health condition requiring treatment.
Problematic gambling occurs when the pleasure and thrill of gambling becomes more important than its cost or risk. It can damage relationships, hurt performance at work or school, cause debt and even homelessness. It can also trigger depression and anxiety. It can also lead to addiction to other substances and activities, like cocaine, heroin and cannabis.
When gambling becomes problematic, it is no longer about entertainment and profit but instead starts to meet other needs such as a need for reward, status, socialisation and escape from everyday stressors. These activities stimulate a dopamine response in the brain similar to that produced by taking drugs.
Most studies look at only the financial or labour and health/wellness impacts of gambling. However, it is also possible to view the impact from a public health perspective. This requires considering the individual, interpersonal and community/societal levels. This includes consideration of societal real wealth, as well as intangible costs and benefits that can be measured using disability weights, or quality-of-life measures. It also considers whether an impact is temporary or long-term.