Gambling is an activity where someone bets something of value (money or material goods) on an event that has a chance of happening and offers a prize. It is an exciting, yet dangerous form of recreation as there is an element of uncertainty involved in the outcome, whether it is the roll of a dice, a spin of a roulette wheel, or a horse race.
Compulsive gambling causes many adverse social consequences and can lead to bankruptcy, family problems, and mental health issues. It can also damage relationships, as people who are addicted to gambling often neglect their families and friends in order to satisfy their addictions. This can cause them to become resentful and even commit crimes in an attempt to recover their losses. In addition, it can lead to a lack of self-control and can be associated with mood disorders such as depression or anxiety.
The social impact of gambling can be observed at three different levels: personal, interpersonal and society/community level. The personal and interpersonal impacts are invisible to the gamblers themselves and include emotional stress, relationship problems and negative health effects, which cannot be quantified in monetary terms. The society/community level external impacts are monetary and can include costs for problem gambling treatment, costs to the community and long-term costs. However, it is challenging to conduct longitudinal studies because of the cost and logistical difficulties involved in a multiyear study. Nevertheless, such studies can be useful in the understanding of gambling’s social impact.
