The Social Impacts of Gambling
Gambling involves betting money or something else of value on an event that is based in some way on chance, such as a football match or a scratchcard. The outcome of the event will be determined by chance, so there is a high risk of losing money. It can also be socially harmful as it leads to addiction and has a negative impact on family relationships, employment, and health and well-being.
There are many reasons why people gamble, including escaping boredom or to make money. However, when gambling becomes problematic, it is no longer about entertainment or profit and begins to cause harm to the person. Problematic gambling changes the reward pathway in the brain, and this can lead to an out-of-control urge to gamble. This can also result in increased gambling-related stress and a lack of coping skills.
It is estimated that one problem gambler affects seven other people, including family members and friends. This can result in problems with finances, work, relationships and homelessness. It can also increase the risk of substance use disorders, including alcoholism and gambling addiction. There are many different types of gambling, and each has its own risks. Some forms of gambling, such as slot machines, are more addictive than others.
The Bible clearly teaches that gambling is wrong and has many harmful effects on individuals, families, and society. It is important to understand the different causes of gambling addiction so that we can help those who are struggling with it.
A lot of research has focused on the economic costs and benefits of gambling, which can be measured using a variety of methods. But a lot less attention has been paid to the social impacts of gambling, which are harder to quantify. Social impacts can be measured using consumer surplus, which is the difference between what consumers are willing to pay for a good or service and what they actually pay for it [32]. They can also be assessed by calculating the per-person burden of a disease or condition on quality of life, known as disability weights [44].
In general, social impacts of gambling fall into three categories: financial, labor, and health and well-being. The former includes changes in financial situation, such as income or expenditures; the latter refers to changes in working performance, absenteeism, and other labour-related issues; and the last category relates to health and well-being, such as mental, physical, and emotional status.
The biblical basis for avoiding gambling is that it is a waste of resources that could be invested soberly in the Kingdom, and that God has entrusted us with wealth to be used wisely (Romans 13:1-5). State-sanctioned gambling undermines this principle, condones evil, and encourages a vice that the Bible calls sinful. Moreover, it makes Christians vulnerable to exploitation by gambling companies. It is therefore imperative that we pray for those who are addicted to gambling and take steps to support them, including by challenging the cultural acceptability of this immoral activity.