Gambling involves the wagering of something of value on a random event with the intent of winning something else of value, where instances of strategy are discounted. It is a behavior that has both positive and negative effects on people, families and communities, as well as the economy.
The positive effects of gambling include socializing and skill development, but the negatives are more prominent. When gambling becomes an addiction, it can cause depression, money problems, legal issues, relationship difficulties, and even suicide. The best way to avoid the negatives is to gamble responsibly, only with money you can afford to lose and not with money needed for bills or other expenses. In addition, it is important to have a strong support network and to participate in other activities that help you feel fulfilled and productive.
Several studies have shown that the introduction of casinos increases crime rates and the cost to police forces, and is associated with an increase in the number of cases prosecuted by the courts [180]. Problem gamblers are also more likely to use medical services, which can lead to increased expenditure on health care. Moreover, they often have difficulty securing employment and may end up losing their jobs due to excessive time spent on gambling. Consequently, they can become homeless and increase the demand on welfare services.
Research has identified a number of factors that can contribute to the development of gambling addiction, including boredom susceptibility, impulsivity, an impaired understanding of random events, and the use of escape coping. Additionally, depression and other life stressors can contribute to the addiction as it offers a temporary relief from the underlying stress. Eventually, the loss of control over the gambling activity is replaced by the need to try and replicate an early big win or to avoid further losses.
Many gamblers have a distorted view of what constitutes “normal” behaviour and do not recognize their gambling as unhealthy. This can be attributed to the fact that gambling is an extremely common activity and it is often linked to specific events or life milestones. In addition, the socialization that takes place in casinos can reinforce a person’s self-concept and give them a sense of belonging.
While the economic literature has documented gambling’s impacts, few studies have compared these to other public health concerns such as alcohol abuse and societal costs and benefits. Furthermore, few studies have measured gambling’s negative impact on the health and well-being of gamblers and their significant others. To address this gap, researchers are using a health-related quality of life (HRQL) approach to assess the negative impacts of gambling on individuals and their significant others. In particular, researchers are utilizing disability weights, which measure the level of impairment due to an illness or injury, to determine the impact on gamblers’ HRQL. This measure is similar to the actuarial weights that are used in insurance. This methodology provides a more complete picture of the impacts of gambling than previous approaches, which only use per capita GDP and mortality rates as indicators of impact.
