Gambling is a form of entertainment that involves placing a bet or wager on an outcome that is uncertain. People engage in gambling for a variety of reasons: for fun, to meet social needs, or as an outlet for boredom or stress. Some gamblers become addicted to gambling and find it difficult to stop. Some of these people have a serious problem known as pathological gambling, which is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as compulsive gambling that causes significant distress or impairment.
Despite the widespread popularity of gambling, few studies have investigated its impacts on society – in particular, its negative and positive social and economic impacts. In addition, most studies have focused on the financial costs and benefits of gambling – including revenues and expenditures – while ignoring personal and interpersonal impacts, which are non-monetary in nature and difficult to quantify.
Although most people who gamble do so responsibly, a significant percentage of those who gamble overindulge, incur debts that impair their ability to support themselves and their families. In many cases, the resulting harms have lasting consequences that last beyond the end of a person’s gambling life. These harms can be measured using a range of indicators, such as health-related quality of life (HRQL) weights – also known as disability weights – or the monetary cost of mental illness incurred by those with gambling disorders.
Other measures include a comparison of a person’s gambling income and expenditures to their average monthly income – which may be reflected in their credit rating – as well as the extent to which the gambler spends money on non-gambling activities, such as food, clothing, and housing. In addition, a number of studies have measured the social impact of gambling in terms of the degree to which it increases crime rates, such as theft, fraud, or violence against family members and acquaintances.
It is important to note that, in some instances, these criminal behaviors can even lead to homicide and other severe forms of domestic violence. In fact, the majority of problem gamblers report having been victims or perpetrators of physical intimate partner violence (IPV) [118].
People are vulnerable to developing gambling problems if they have low incomes and high expectations for winning big. Moreover, young people, especially boys and men, are more likely to develop a gambling problem than older adults. Some of the behavioral risk factors for developing a gambling disorder include sensation-seeking, impulsivity, and the desire for diverse or new experiences. It is important for family members to understand these underlying psychological drivers of gambling behavior and to set clear boundaries in managing the money of their loved one to help them avoid gambling-related problems. In addition, it is important to seek support for dealing with a loved one’s gambling problems from other families who have struggled with similar issues. This will allow family members to gain a sense of community and realize that they are not alone in their struggles.