Social impacts and attributions of concern

What is ‘problem gambling’, and why does it matter?

As defined in the report ‘Research on the social impacts of gambling’ by the ‘Scottish Centre for Social research’:

‘Problem gambling is defined as behaviour that is out of control and that disrupts personal family, financial and employment relations. It is linked to financial problems such as debt and bankruptcy, divorce, lost productivity, crime (such as theft and fraud), depression and suicide.[1]’

‘Problem gambling’ causes significant mental health impacts, comparable to alcoholism or major depressive disorder and causes harm greater than that of a drug depended on disorder, as highlighted in the ‘The epidemiology and impact of gambling disorder and other gambling-related harm’ discussion paper produced for ‘The World Health Organisation’.[2] Furthermore, those most vulnerable in society and least advantaged are those most impacted by gambling related harm. ‘The burden is disproportionately carried by disadvantaged and marginalised sectors and contributes to health and social disparities.’[3]

Proportion of respondents participating in at least one form of online gambling in the past four weeks, by gender and age',[4] U.K ‘Gambling Commission’.

As seen by footnote 15, there is an overall trend regarding an increase in online gambling participation, and although ‘availability and convenience are strongly associated with problem gambling’,[5] the condition itself ‘has rarely been seen as a public health issue or priority’.[6] Evidence has shown ‘across a range of behavioural disorders, severe problem gambling is one of the most difficult and expensive to treat’,[7] and the ‘World Health Organisation’ says ‘there is an urgent need to place gambling in national and internal public health agendas...’.[8]

[1] Reith, G. and The Scottish Centre for Social Research, (2006), Research on the Social Impacts of Gambling, University of Glasgow, Scottish Executive. Available at: Research on the Social Impacts of Gambling: Final Report (gla.ac.uk). [Access date: 6 March 2021].p 6.

[2] Abbott, M. (2017), The epidemiology and impact of gambling disorder and other gambling-related harm, developed for the WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drug and Addictive Behaviours, New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology. p 1.

[3] Abbott, M. (2017), The epidemiology and impact of gambling disorder and other gambling-related harm, developed for the WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drug and Addictive Behaviours, New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology. p 3.

[4] Gambling Commission, (2021), Gambling behaviour in 2020: Findings from the quarterly telephone survey [online], Gambling Commission. Available at: Gambling behaviour in 2020: Findings from the quarterly telephone survey - Gambling Commission. [ Access date: 4 March 2021].

[5] Reith, G. and The Scottish Centre for Social Research, (2006), Research on the Social Impacts of Gambling, University of Glasgow, Scottish Executive. Available at: Research on the Social Impacts of Gambling: Final Report (gla.ac.uk). [Access date: 6 March 2021].p7.

[6] Abbott, M. (2017), The epidemiology and impact of gambling disorder and other gambling-related harm, developed for the WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drug and Addictive Behaviours, New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology. p 1.

[7] Reith, G. and The Scottish Centre for Social Research, (2006), Research on the Social Impacts of Gambling, University of Glasgow, Scottish Executive. Available at: Research on the Social Impacts of Gambling: Final Report (gla.ac.uk). [Access date: 6 March 2021].p8.

[8] Abbott, M. (2017), The epidemiology and impact of gambling disorder and other gambling-related harm, developed for the WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drug and Addictive Behaviours, New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology. p 1