Gambling is an activity in which a person risks something of value on a random event for the opportunity to win something else of value. This activity has both positive and negative impacts on people and society. However, the media often amplifies the negative aspects of gambling, which can include addiction and financial problems. However, there are many benefits to gambling that the media fails to mention. These include socializing, mental development and improving skill. However, it is important to remember that gambling is risky and should only be done with money you can afford to lose.
Despite the negative publicity, gambling is a popular pastime for many people and can help boost economies. It also provides jobs and generates tax revenue for governments. Gambling is a form of entertainment that involves betting on sports events, games or lottery numbers. It is also a popular way to pass time and make friends. However, it can become a serious problem if not controlled properly.
Negative effects of gambling include loss of income, increased debt, family tension, and a decline in quality of life. These effects can be seen at the personal, interpersonal, and community/society levels (Fig. 1). The most well-known financial impacts come from gamblers’ losses and are incurred by others in the community. For example, a gambler’s increased debt and financial strain affects their family members and can lead to escalating into bankruptcy or homelessness. The other forms of impacts are those that have a societal impact and can be observed on the community or society level, such as changes in health and well-being or community cohesion.
A good method to examine impacts on a more holistic basis is through a public health approach. This focuses on all the impacts and their severity, including both positive and negative consequences. This is a departure from the economic costing studies that are frequently used to assess the impacts of gambling. Considering the full range of impacts will enable a more comprehensive view of the costs and benefits associated with gambling.
Another way to examine the impact of gambling is through a health-related quality of life (HRQL) weights, known as disability weights. Unlike standard utility weights, HRQL weights consider the intangible benefits and costs of a health state. This is a useful tool to discover gambling harms that are invisible to the eye, such as the loss of enjoyment in everyday activities. It will also allow us to determine the effects of gambling on gamblers and their families. It is therefore crucial that these intangible effects are included in costing and impact assessments of gambling. The current literature largely overlooks these intangible effects of gambling, and it is essential that this is corrected. A broader, more holistic assessment of gambling and its impacts can be used to improve the quality of gambling research.