Gambling Harms

Gambling is an activity in which a person places something of value (like money) on the outcome of a random chance event. People who gamble do so for entertainment and often with the expectation that they will win. It is legal in many countries and has distinct regulations to protect consumers from harm and promote fairness. However, gambling has also been associated with a range of harms including financial stress, relationship breakdown, family violence, criminal behaviour, mental illness, debt and suicide. It can also erode civil institutions through corruption and the use of gambling as a way to launder money obtained from illegal activities.

While most people who engage in gambling do so responsibly and find it an enjoyable pastime, for some, the risks can be significant. Problem gambling can lead to addiction, financial ruin and poor performance at work or school. It can also result in relationship breakups, mental health problems and social isolation. In some cases, it can even contribute to domestic violence. Gambling harms can linger throughout one’s life and are transmissible across generations.

The rapid normalization of gambling is occurring through a number of factors including commercialization and the colocation of gambling products in social settings, sponsorship and aggressive promotion. In addition, the design of many gambling products can exploit cognitive biases and enhance nudges that encourage extended use. Strong regulation of gambling products and the provision of universal pre-commitment systems (requiring people to set binding limits on time and money spent) and self-exclusion are needed to reduce gambling harm.