Gambling is a form of entertainment that involves wagering something of value on a random event with the hope of winning money. People gamble for a variety of reasons, including socialization and relaxation. However, it is important to understand the effects of gambling before engaging in it.
The negative impacts of gambling can be seen on personal, interpersonal and community/society levels. At the personal level, a person can experience monetary harms from gambling such as debt and other expenses related to gambling. In addition, a person can experience non-monetary harms such as stress and depression.
A person can also face social consequences such as strained relationships and loss of family and work life balance due to excessive gambling. This is because compulsive gamblers tend to prioritise their gambling habits over other obligations and responsibilities, thus putting their relationships at risk. Moreover, they may even resort to illegal activities in order to finance their addictions. This can lead to resentment and anger from loved ones.
People can also experience community/society level external impacts from gambling such as increased crime, health problems and unemployment. This is because problem gamblers are more likely to be involved in criminal activities such as stealing and trafficking drugs. Furthermore, they can be found working in illegal casinos and other businesses. In addition, a person can also face stigma and discrimination due to their gambling habits.
Lastly, a person can experience community/society level benefits from gambling such as job creation, taxes and other revenue. In addition, some online casinos support charitable causes by donating some of their profits to non-profit organisations. This can result in positive community impact in the long-term.
Gambling is a fun and rewarding activity, but it’s important to be aware of the risks. If you have a problem with gambling, it’s important to seek help. BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you with licensed, accredited therapists who can help with gambling addiction and other issues. Get started by taking the assessment and be matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours.
