Gambling involves placing something of value, usually money, on a random event with the intention of winning something else of value. There are many different types of gambling including: lottery tickets, horse races, card games, slots, dice, sports events, and online poker. Whether or not gambling is harmful depends on the amount of time and money a person gambles, how much they win and lose, and their personal circumstances.
Gambling has both negative and positive social impacts. Negative social impacts include: – increased financial costs (e.g., losses on a game of chance); – psychological and emotional harms, such as guilt, anxiety, depression, and feelings of helplessness; – social distancing from family and friends; – illegal acts, such as forgery, fraud, theft, and embezzlement to finance gambling; – loss of employment, educational opportunities, or career advancement; and – damage to a family or community reputation due to the gambling activity.
Positive social impacts include – a sense of achievement and accomplishment; – the opportunity to win money; – the ability to relieve boredom; and – the chance to have fun with friends. It is important to note, however, that people should not rely on gambling for these needs; there are many healthier ways to relieve boredom and moods, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, and practicing relaxation techniques.
It is also important to remember that the benefits of gambling can only be realised if a person gambles responsibly and sticks to their betting limits. People who are not able to control their gambling behaviour and spend more than they can afford to lose may become addicted and experience serious financial and emotional problems. It is estimated that one problem gambler can affect up to seven other people.
A person can find a number of ways to gamble, but the most common is to place a bet on a horse race or football match. These bets can be placed either in the bookmakers or online, with both methods having their own advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of online betting is that it can be done at any time, day or night, and from anywhere in the world as long as there is an internet connection.
A problem with gambling can be difficult to detect because a gambler might try to hide their addiction or lie about how much they are spending. If you are concerned that your gambling is affecting your life or the lives of those close to you, you can seek help by calling our free and confidential counselling service on 1800 858 858. The counsellors are experienced in dealing with the effects of gambling and will be able to give you advice on how to manage your gambling. They can also refer you to a local support service if necessary. In addition, there are a number of free resources available on this website to assist you in making the right choices. These can be in the form of programs to prevent problematic gambling behaviour or tools for assessing risky gambling products.