Gambling is the activity of wagering something of value on a random event with the intent to win something else of value. It requires three elements to be present: consideration, risk and a prize.
There are many different types of gambling, such as sports betting, lotteries and scratch cards. These are usually regulated by government authorities, but there are also informal forms of gambling that are not regulated by law.
Almost everyone gambles at some point in their lives, but it can become a problem if you lose control of your behaviour. It can lead to financial problems, strained relationships and health issues.
Understanding harm from gambling can help us to identify ways to prevent and treat gambling-related problems. Moreover, it can help to better understand the range of effects that gambling can have on an individual and their family.
Harm minimisation is a public health approach that suggests the avoidance of gambling related harms, particularly when they are caused by habitual and frequent gambling. The concept is based on the assumption that people can minimise the damage caused by their gambling by making appropriate choices about the amount of money and time they spend. However, a lack of consistent and appropriate definitions and measures of harm means that these approaches may be overly simplistic or ineffective.
It is important to recognise that gambling is a social phenomenon that is rooted in the human desire for entertainment. This urge can manifest itself in a wide variety of different contexts, but is most prevalent in the social sphere and among those with an interest in or a connection to the broader culture.
In our research, we gathered data from focus groups and semi-structured interviews with individuals who had either gambled or had experienced gambling-related harms. The focus group sessions (n = 11) and the interview panels (n = 25) averaged around 90 minutes in length, and were conducted in person or via telephone.
We found that the experience of harms was extensive and varied across different domains within the life of the gambler, their family, friends and wider community. The harms experienced by these participants ranged from financial impacts and those relating to their relationships, to emotional and psychological harms, to impact on their health, and impacts on work, study or economic activity. In addition, we identified the experience of harms that were rooted in culture, including cultural, religious or indigenous beliefs.
There was considerable subjectivity involved in the experience of harms, and there was a complex inter-relationship between harms and sources of harm, such as depression or alcohol abuse. Nevertheless, there was clear evidence that people who gambled were more likely to experience harms than non-gamblers.
Despite its widespread acceptance as an enjoyable and fun pastime, gambling can cause significant harm to individuals and their families. It is important to understand the nature and extent of this harm so that we can minimise its impact on our communities and make sure that people get support when they need it.
