Gambling’s Impact on Personal, Interpersonal, and Community Levels
Gambling involves wagering money or other value on something of value, such as a sporting event, lottery, or horse race, with the hope of winning. Unlike some games of chance, where a player’s luck may determine their success, the majority of gambling activities require skill and strategy to succeed. Some people gamble for enjoyment, while others do it as a way to escape from their problems. Regardless of the motive, gambling has many negative effects on a person’s physical and mental health. In addition, gambling can have a significant impact on their family and the community at large.
Gambling can affect all aspects of a person’s life, including finances, work, and health. This is why it is important to consider the impacts of gambling from a public health perspective. In the PHIGam model, benefits and costs are categorized into three classes: financial, labor, and health and well-being.
In the economic literature, gambling is viewed as a positive for the economy because of its revenues and the increased tourism that it brings. However, the social and economic costs of gambling have not been as widely studied. Moreover, there are concerns about the effects of casino expansion on local businesses, such as a decrease in social capital and higher prices for housing and goods [32].
Studies of gambling’s impact on personal, interpersonal, and community/societal levels have primarily focused on the negative outcomes. For example, gambling can lead to increases in debt and financial stress, which can have a detrimental effect on a gambler’s family members. Moreover, it can lead to a loss of employment or a job opportunity. In some cases, it can even lead to bankruptcy and homelessness.
A number of ways have been proposed to help gamblers overcome their addiction. These include:
Behavioral therapy can help people change their attitudes and behaviors. It can also teach a person to recognize and cope with triggers. Family therapy and marriage, career, and credit counseling can help people rebuild their relationships and lives. Medications can help treat co-occurring disorders and prevent relapse.
People can also seek support from friends and family. In addition, they can attend self-help groups for problem gamblers such as Gamblers Anonymous. Some people find that a regular exercise regimen helps them overcome their gambling problem. Finally, it is essential to set limits on one’s spending and limit access to credit cards and other forms of financing. Despite these options, only the gambler can choose to stop gambling. If someone is having trouble stopping, they should talk to a mental health professional or call a helpline. They can also try to find other ways to spend their time, such as exercising or going for a walk. Lastly, they can reach out to their family and friends for support or participate in a group for families of gamblers, such as Gam-Anon.