Gambling affects both individuals and communities. The impacts can be quantified in three ways: on a personal, interpersonal, and societal level. Financial impacts include the impact of gambling on tourism and other industries, the infrastructure costs associated with casinos, and changes in values and financial situations. Financial impacts also contribute to the economy, while labor impacts involve lost productivity, decreased performance, and job gains. Health and well-being impacts include the overall physical and mental health of individuals and communities.
Impacts
People who engage in problem gambling can face many consequences. In addition to stealing from their family and society, they may even end up in jails or rehabs. They may end up with ruined lives and family members, which may be devastating enough to lead them to take their own life. Moreover, the effects of gambling on families may even lead to the need for close supervision and intervention. The consequences of problem gambling on families may be far-reaching, affecting every facet of a person’s life.
Types
The different types of gambling include casino games, poker games, sports betting, and horse races. The definitions and rules of each differ somewhat. There are also numerous hybrids. In general, games of chance are non-strategic activities, such as letting luck decide the outcome. The types of gambling vary according to location, purpose, and audience. A few of the most common types are listed below. But how do you differentiate between them?
Costs
Problem gambling has cost society billions of dollars, with 60% of Canadians engaging in it by 2020. In the same year, Canadians spent $17 billion in legalized gambling and $4 billion online. Problem gambling is common, and the prevalence of this addiction is higher online than in land-based gambling establishments. A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology in 2006 estimated that problem gambling was responsible for nearly four times as much spending as illegal gambling.
Addiction
Getting help for an addiction to gambling is not an easy task. While there are many resources available, such as support groups and treatment programs, it is not easy to stop a gambling addiction without professional assistance. Often, a person who is suffering from gambling addiction does not seek professional help because of shame and denial. It can be hard for a loved one to understand how to deal with a person suffering from an addiction to gambling.
Prevention
Effective prevention strategies must address all three components. The interventions should be feasible, effective, and tailored to the target population. Education campaigns should target a broad range of youths and increase consumer knowledge, while gambling harm prevention kits should be distributed to patrons and venue staff. Initiatives should coordinate with a variety of community services and address the underlying causes of gambling harm. However, effective harm prevention efforts require research and understanding of individual and social factors that contribute to gambling problems.