Public Health Assessment of Gambling

Gambling is the wagering of something of value on an event that has an uncertain outcome, such as a game of chance, a sporting event or a lottery. It requires three elements: consideration (an amount wagered), risk and a prize. Many activities may be considered gambling, including playing card games for money, dice games, horse racing, sports betting and scratch tickets. Some people even place bets on video poker or roulette. Typically, the purpose of gambling is to win a prize. However, some people play for enjoyment without winning anything.

The negative consequences of gambling are well documented. These include increased health and social problems, family distress, financial ruin and debt, and poor work performance [1, 2]. In addition, problem gamblers are at a higher risk of suicide than the general population. Those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, often begin gambling in an attempt to self-medicate their symptoms. However, research has shown that compulsive gambling can actually make these symptoms worse.

In the past, most studies of gambling have ignored the negative impacts and focused on monetary gains or losses. This approach fails to consider the intangible costs associated with gambling, such as decreased quality of life and loss of personal relationships. In order to assess these impacts, a public health perspective is needed.

A public health assessment of gambling includes both assessing the harms associated with gambling and exploring possible solutions to reduce these harms. It also explores a variety of factors that contribute to problematic gambling. These include the expectation of an early big win, boredom susceptibility, impulsivity, use of escape coping and stressful life experiences. The Yale Report on Gambling found that these factors are common in individuals with gambling disorders, particularly in those who have a history of addiction or mental illness.

One way to address the negative effects of gambling is to increase access to social support. This can be done by establishing a stronger social network and participating in other recreational activities, such as going to the gym or taking a class. It is also important to remove yourself from the environment that triggers gambling behavior. This can be accomplished by reducing access to money by closing credit cards or using those that are restricted to specific purposes, keeping only a small amount of cash on hand and by not visiting casinos or other places where gambling is popular.

It is also helpful to learn how to recognize internal triggers that can lead to gambling and to have a plan of action for when these triggers arise. For example, it is important to be able to recognize the signs of gambling addiction, such as a high pulse rate and sweating. It is also important to seek help for underlying mood disorders, as these can contribute to gambling addiction and can make it harder to quit. It is also recommended to join a peer support group, such as Gamblers Anonymous, which follows the model of Alcoholics Anonymous and can provide valuable guidance and support.