Gambling is a form of risk-taking in which individuals stake something valuable (money or other assets) for a chance to win a prize. It can be done in casinos, racetracks and other physical venues as well as online or over the phone. It can be a fun and exciting pastime but it can also cause serious problems if someone becomes addicted. Addiction to gambling can affect the health and family of an individual, causing them to spend money they don’t have and often putting their relationships at risk. It can also have a negative impact on their work and career. People with addictions to gambling often feel powerless against the urges to gamble and find it hard to break the habit. In the UK, there are many services available to help people overcome a gambling problem. Taking the first step to admit you have a problem can be daunting but remember that many others have successfully recovered from their addiction and gone on to live full lives.
Supporters of gambling argue that it stimulates the economy by attracting tourism. They also claim that the taxes generated from gambling are better than what is spent on incarceration, social welfare and other government expenditures. However, opponents of gambling say that its benefits are overstated. The truth is that gambling can lead to financial ruin and destroy the lives of people who become compulsive gamblers. This leads to family conflict and loss of employment, as well as a host of other psychological and health issues.
Most studies on the economic development effects of gambling focus on gambling revenues and its impacts on other industries, but few examine the personal and interpersonal impacts of gambling on gamblers and their significant others. These impacts can be categorized as financial, labor and health and well-being. Gambling’s financial impacts include changes in wealth, while its labor impacts refer to losses or gains in income and job performance. Health and well-being impacts are a combination of changes in physical, psychological and social health.
Interpersonal impacts of gambling are often overlooked and can include petty theft, illicit lending, domestic violence and substance abuse. It is also common for problem gamblers to experience depression or have thoughts of suicide. These negative effects can have long-term consequences that change an individual’s life course and may even pass from generation to generation.
If you are worried about your loved one’s gambling addiction, the best thing to do is to seek help from a specialist. There are lots of free and confidential services to help you, including StepChange who can offer debt advice. Often the root of the problem is financial, so it’s important to take steps to tackle your debt before trying to help your loved one. If you are unable to do this, please seek medical advice or call 999. Taking control of your finances and credit is the first step to overcoming a gambling problem. It takes tremendous strength and courage to acknowledge that you have a gambling problem, especially if it has impacted your relationship with your loved ones.