Gambling is an activity that involves risking money or something of value on an event based on luck, skill or chance. It can involve betting on sporting events, horse and greyhound races, political events, lottery games, esports betting or scratch cards. It can also be involved in speculating on business, insurance or stock market investments. Gambling is a large industry which can make money and employ people around the world. It is an integral part of some cultures and has been a popular activity since its origins. While gambling is not inherently harmful, it can be a problem for some people and is linked to a range of harms including relationship breakdown, family violence, addiction, crime (theft, fraud), financial distress, mental health problems, loss of employment, stigma and poor health outcomes.
The risk of developing a gambling problem increases with the frequency and type of gambling. This is because people can become reliant on gambling and the addiction can develop rapidly. It is also increased by the promotion of gambling through marketing, sponsorship and online advertising. This is particularly true for young people. The rapid normalization of gambling through new commercial associations with sport and cultural activities also increases the risks of harm.
Harms of gambling include the diversion of funds from essential household spending, which can lead to food insecurity and problems accessing healthcare and education. It can also be a source of family conflict, poverty and resentment. There is also a risk that a gambling disorder can contribute to other psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
There are some strategies for reducing the harms associated with gambling. These include universal pre-commitment, where people are required to sign an agreement that they will only gamble for a limited amount of time and that they will set binding limits on how much money and/or time they will spend gambling. Self-exclusion schemes, where people can ban themselves from gambling sites, are another way to help reduce harm. However, they are often not well implemented.
If you have a gambling problem, it is important to get help as soon as possible. There is free and confidential support available. If you think someone you know is experiencing a problem, it is important to recognise the signs and take action. You can get more information and advice from the West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic. They can be contacted on 0808 208 1415. Alternatively, you can contact the Gamblers Anonymous helpline on 1800 GAMBLER (1800 826 2235). You can also visit our gambling harms page for further information and advice. You can also download our Gambling Self-assessment questionnaire to find out how much you are putting at risk. It is not a test to see if you have a gambling problem, but it can be helpful to get an idea of how much you are putting at risk.
