Gambling is a global activity, taking place in casinos, racetracks, at home and online. For many, it’s an enjoyable pastime for the rare ‘highs’ of winning and the enjoyment of socialising with friends. However, it can also be a serious problem that causes significant harm. This can include financial stress, relationship breakdown and mental health issues. These problems can last throughout life and have intergenerational effects. The development of gambling addiction is often difficult to recognise as it’s not always accompanied by physical symptoms. This makes it hard to recognise when it’s time to get help, especially if you don’t have a support network in place.
The rapid expansion of gambling has been driven by commercialization, digitization and marketing, which is particularly effective on mobile devices. This has led to a rise in the availability of online betting and gambling apps, which are accessible on smartphones and tablets 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many gambling companies now offer VIP schemes that encourage regular users to spend more money, and a large number of advertisements are seen on television and social media.
A growing number of people are affected by gambling addiction, and it’s important to know the warning signs that you or someone you know may be developing an issue. A common sign is losing control of finances – bills aren’t paid, debts pile up and pay day loans become the norm. Some even resort to stealing from family members or employers to cover their gambling habits.
If left unchecked, gambling can lead to a range of problems including debt, health and family stress, poor work performance, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety and even suicide. Problem gambling has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as the development of substance use disorders and mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder.
Research and policy approaches to reducing gambling harm have typically been framed through psychological and economic models of individual behaviour and addiction, but there is a growing corpus of socio-cultural research that recognises the importance of wider contextual influences. Harm reduction strategies should therefore consider these perspectives.
This will require a broadening of the perspective to consider how the various elements that influence gambling practices can be shaped and reshaped, not only by individual gamblers but by the social, cultural and regulatory environment that influences them in the first place. This could involve a change in public discourse that challenges the perception of gambling as a normal social practice, as well as interventions such as restrictions on the spaces in which gambling takes place, and limits on advertising, promotion, and access to online gaming. This will enable a more holistic approach to tackling harms associated with gambling, ensuring that it is treated as the multifaceted activity it is. This will require a collaborative and cross-disciplinary approach between researchers, policymakers and community organisations. This is what the research at the Centre for Gambling Studies is aiming to achieve.
