Gambling is a widespread pastime around the world. In certain nations, it makes up part of their GDP while employing people around the globe. Gambling also has a positive effect on local economies by contributing to infrastructure upgrades and supporting local businesses through sponsorship deals and partnerships – not forgetting its impactful contribution towards tourism development and hospitality expansion.
Gambling can have devastating repercussions for individuals, families and communities alike. When used as an escape route from reality or to relieve boredom or other unpleasant emotions, gambling can create problems such as debt and bankruptcy – effects which affect all age groups, races and religions – from small towns to major cities alike; men and women are equally affected.
Reducing or stopping gambling can be an extremely difficult feat, causing great distress among your family, friends and employers. But by altering your lifestyle to include healthier ways of handling uncomfortable emotions such as exercising regularly or spending time with non-gamblers; or practicing relaxation techniques.
Some gamble because they find it a fun, exciting and engaging way to connect with others and build social bonds. Gambling may appeal to lonely or depressed individuals as gambling has long been seen as glamorous activity by the media.
However, for others it can become an addiction that disrupts their daily lives and causes significant hardships – from missing work and spending money they don’t have to hiding funds from loved ones; gambling may even drive some to consider suicide as an escape from its pain and stress.
People with gambling problems often do not recognize them for what they are and go untreated for long. Therefore, it is vital that anyone suspected of having such an addiction seek treatment as soon as possible so as to minimize damage and stop it worsening further.
Some studies have looked into the costs and benefits of gambling, with most studies concentrating on quantifiable financial benefits and costs of gambling. While this gives a limited view, as it ignores non-monetary impacts caused by gambling; placing a monetary value on non-monetary benefits is sometimes problematic due to intangible impacts; nonetheless it remains essential that we explore all sides of gambling to determine its true social cost/benefit value.