The Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling
Gambling is an activity where people place something of value, such as money or property, on an event whose outcome is determined by chance. It is a popular leisure time activity in most countries and has significant social and economic impacts on gamblers, their families and the community. It also has negative impacts on small businesses such as restaurants, cafés and pubs, which have fewer customers due to gambling activities. In addition, problem gambling has long term negative impacts on family and friendships. It is often accompanied by other addictions such as substance abuse and depression and can be a contributing factor to suicide.
Most studies of gambling have focused on its financial costs and benefits, which are easily quantifiable. However, few have examined its social impacts. Socio-economic models and health impact assessment methodologies can be applied to gambling to measure both its positive and negative impacts.
The positive impacts of gambling include entertainment value, increased productivity and revenue for the economy, and social interaction. The negative impacts of gambling include the potential for harm to gamblers and their families, the loss of jobs, increased crime, bankruptcy and homelessness. Compulsive gambling can also damage an individual’s mental and physical wellbeing, leading to a variety of health problems including depression and anxiety, sleep difficulties, poor performance at work or study, eating disorders, high blood pressure, digestive issues and heart disease. It can also lead to strained relationships as individuals who gamble spend more time on their habits than with their friends and family, and may even go into debt or engage in illegal activities to fund their gambling habits.
There are a number of ways to combat gambling addiction. One is to seek support from friends and family, join a peer support group such as Gamblers Anonymous, which follows the model of Alcoholics Anonymous, or take part in an online recovery programme. Alternatively, you can try exercising, taking up a hobby, volunteering or enrolling in an education class to help you build a new foundation for your life away from gambling. The most important step is recognising that you have a gambling problem and asking for help. Don’t be afraid to reach out, as many others have done before you and have successfully reclaimed their lives from gambling.
Gambling is an activity where people place something of value, such as money or property, on an event whose outcome is determined by chance. It is a popular leisure time activity in most countries and has significant social and economic impacts on gamblers, their families and the community. It also has negative impacts on small…