The Impacts of Gambling

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Gambling is a risky activity that involves placing something of value, such as money or goods, on an uncertain outcome. The odds of winning or losing are based on chance, and people gamble for a variety of reasons, including the adrenaline rush of gambling, socialising with others, or escaping from problems such as boredom, worries or stress. However, for some people, gambling can become a problem and lead to negative consequences for themselves and their family.

This article discusses the various impacts of gambling and how they affect individuals and society. These impacts include financial, labour, health and well-being, as well as societal/community level effects that are not necessarily monetary, such as impact on family members or on the community as a whole. There are methodological challenges for examining these types of non-monetary impacts and there is a need for increased emphasis on addressing them in research on gambling.

Adolescents, veterans, older adults and some Latino and Asian communities are at higher risk of developing a gambling disorder. It is important to seek help for yourself or someone you care about if there are signs of problem gambling. Talking to a friend, support group or trained counsellor may be helpful. You can also reduce the risk of gambling problems by avoiding gambling venues, not using credit cards or borrowing money to gamble and finding alternative ways to socialise or escape from worry or stress. If you are struggling with debt, get in touch with StepChange for free debt advice.