Gambling is a form of wagering on an event which involves a degree of uncertainty in the outcome. It typically entails three elements: consideration, risk and a prize.
Harms related to gambling can impact a person’s life in many ways, including financial harms, social isolation and relationship problems. These harms can also lead to depression and other psychiatric disorders.
Often, people who suffer from mood disorders like anxiety and depression use gambling as an escape. These conditions are particularly prone to the same kinds of withdrawal effects and cravings that accompanies addictive gambling behaviour.
There are a number of signs that you may have a problem with gambling, such as lying about your gambling activities, spending large amounts of money or losing your money repeatedly. Getting help for an underlying disorder is key to treating and recovering from the problem.
Gambling can also cause a lot of stress, which can make depression, stress and other mental health issues worse. To avoid these issues, strengthen your support network and get treatment for any underlying conditions.
You can also take a look at our guide on how to cope with gambling problems. It’s a great way to learn more about the condition and how to treat it.
Identifying a clear definition of harm is vital to the development of a consistent framework for measuring and addressing gambling related harm. The new conceptual framework captures the breadth of harms, from initial and exacerbated harms at the first experience with gambling through to legacy and intergenerational harms.