The effects of gambling are numerous and are classified into three major categories: economic, social, and personal. The financial effects include economic activity, gambling revenue, and effects on other industries. The impact of gambling also affects infrastructure and value changes, which contribute to economic activity. Other impacts include physical health, psychological well-being, and labor, as gambling results in job losses, reduced productivity, and social acceptability. Below we’ve outlined these impacts and discussed treatment options.
Impacts of gambling on society
Many concerned citizens and institutions have questioned the impact of gambling on society. In South Africa, for example, the National Lottery was one of the subjects studied by the National Gambling Board. The results showed that gambling has a negative impact on less affluent and poor people, while contributing to the economic well-being of richer individuals. Besides the economic costs of gambling, other social and health consequences are also attributed to the practice. Moreover, there are direct government costs of social services.
The report identifies a number of normative aspects that should be considered when assessing gambling legislation and policy. For example, Ms Naidoo stresses the importance of family and economic recovery as well as the benefits of regulating the industry. In addition, she recommends that governments should make use of appropriate benchmarks for regulating the gambling industry. However, this type of research should be carefully evaluated. As the world continues to grow and the internet increases, it is not possible to estimate the exact costs of gambling.
Social acceptability of gambling
While it is common for people to associate gambling with adults, an increasing number of adolescents are engaging in the activity, likely as a result of increased accessibility and social acceptability. The lure of glitzy casinos and television shows featuring young people winning millions of dollars may contribute to adolescents’ growing interest in gambling. Although gambling is traditionally considered an adult activity, it has recently become increasingly popular among young people due to its availability and legality, as well as its widespread advertising and regulatory support.
Many people’s gambling behaviors are motivated by various reasons, ranging from financial rewards to non-financial ones such as escape, thrill seeking, and sensation seeking. A longitudinal qualitative study of young people’s gambling behaviors suggests that many of these behaviors are rooted in social processes within significant social networks. The data also suggest that certain types of gambling may be associated with more risky behaviors and higher rates of addiction. For instance, children of parents with gambling problems are likely to develop gambling problems themselves.
Costs of problem gambling
There is a large debate over the costs of problem gambling, both direct and indirect. An early study conducted in Australia has estimated the societal costs of problem gambling to be between 0.3 and 1.0% of GDP, or AUD 4.7-8.4 billion per year. Although problem gamblers make up a small proportion of the population, their families bear a heavy burden. The costs are comprised of health care, productivity, police enforcement, and even jail time.
The cost of problem gambling varies greatly, but the social costs of gambling include relationship break-ups, family violence, and suicide. Recent estimates place the costs of problem gambling at $400 million to $1.2 billion per year. The costs of problem gambling are also considered a direct economic cost, as they result from excessive gambling. The cost of problem gambling is most evident when the problem gamblers exceed the norm. The costs are not only direct, but also indirect, including the costs of lost productivity and criminal justice systems.
Treatment options
If you are concerned about your gambling habits, you should seek help from a mental health professional or primary care physician. You should discuss your gambling history and ask permission for the doctor to talk to family members. Under confidentiality laws, doctors cannot divulge medical information without your permission. However, some drugs can cause compulsive behaviors. In some cases, physical activity can help cure an addiction to gambling. There are several treatment options available to help you recover from this problem.
In many cases, people seeking treatment have been pushed into seeking help by family members or friends who want to help them quit the habit. Others may feel they can control their gambling behavior themselves but are unaware of the extent of its impact on their lives. Motivational approaches are often successful in helping people overcome their ambivalence to change, and may involve weighing the positive and negative effects of the change. Some motivational therapies provide personalized or normative feedback, or reframing mistaken beliefs.