Gambling is a form of risky behaviour where a person bets money or possessions on an event that has an element of chance or randomness. This can include a game of poker, roulette, blackjack, betting on horse races and sporting events, or using the pokies at the casino.
A Gambler’s Decision
There are many reasons why a person may decide to gamble, including feelings of excitement or anxiety, or because they want to self-soothe unpleasant emotions or relieve boredom. However, gambling can lead to harm and should be avoided at all costs.
A Gambler’s Problem
Although a gambler might feel like they have the ability to control their gambling, they often don’t. If you suspect that a loved one is a problem gambler, seek help. This can be as simple as talking to someone about it or taking over their finances, or it could mean a more extensive approach. There are a number of approaches to treating problem gambling, such as family therapy, marriage and career counselling, and credit counseling.
A Gambler’s Problem
People who have a gambling problem tend to have problems controlling their gambling behavior, and may lose significant amounts of money. This can put a strain on their financial health, relationship, and job stability. It can also make it difficult for them to save and spend their money responsibly.
A Gambler’s Problem
If you think that a friend or family member is gambling, find out about the best ways to support them. This can include a variety of treatments, such as family therapy, career and credit counseling, and group and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
A Gambler’s Problem
The first step in treating a gambling problem is to understand why it is happening. Understanding the reasons why you gamble can help you stop gambling and prevent relapse.
Harms and their Classifications
Gambling can have a wide range of effects on your life, including financial, mental, emotional and social. It can have a negative impact on your relationships and health, and affect your ability to work, study or take care of yourself.
In addition, it can cause you to be impulsive and have poor decision making skills. It can lead to addiction, which is a serious mental disorder that can be very difficult to treat.
Harms and their Classifications
The data gathered during the Gambling Project was used to identify harms experienced by people who gambled. These harms were classified into different categories to better understand the experiences of those who gambled.
General harms were grouped into six thematic classifications that occurred sequentially or in parallel: losses, erosion of savings and financial resources, family distress, relationship difficulties, negative impacts on work or study and criminal acts. These harms impacted on the person who gambled and their families, friends and wider community.
These harms reflected the individual’s underlying belief and values that influenced their choices and actions. These were based on a variety of factors, such as self-perception, societal expectations, and personal experience.