The negative effects of gambling are multifaceted, but there are several ways to reduce them. The first step is to learn about gambling’s nature and the impact on society. There are three basic classes of effects: financial, interpersonal, and societal. The financial impact relates to gambling revenues and other related industries, such as tourism. The societal impact is largely based on the economic activity and changes in value and financial situations. The third type of impact relates to the health of individuals. Mental health and physical health are impacted by gambling, and the societal impact includes gambling-related costs and benefits.
The most common type of gambling is betting on sports. People will often join sports betting pools to bet on their favorite teams, or bet on horse races and other regulated events. To minimize the impact of the emotional aspect of gambling, be sure to make a decision that you will not be able to give into the urge to gamble. If you have a credit card, let someone else handle it and have automatic payments set up to prevent the temptation to use it. If you are gambling online, be sure to close all accounts and carry a small amount of cash with you at all times.
In addition to addressing physical problems associated with gambling, a person suffering from this problem should try to strengthen their social network. Families and friends should support and encourage them. Encourage them to make new friends who don’t share the same addiction, engage in volunteer work, and join a peer support group. Gamblers Anonymous, an acronym for “gambling addicts,” is a good place to get help. They have self-help groups, self-help brochures, and 20 Question Problem Gambling flyer.