How to Avoid Gambling Harm
Gambling involves risking something of value – money, goods, or time – on an event or game that is unpredictable. People who gamble hope to win something if they guess correctly. Gambling can be done in many ways, including lotteries, scratch-off tickets, video poker, slot machines, and table games.
For a minority of people, gambling can become a serious problem. It can harm physical and mental health, cause family and relationship problems, affect work or study performance, lead to debt and even homelessness. Problem or pathological gambling is a recognised psychiatric diagnosis present in around 1% of the population.
It’s important to recognise the signs of a problem and seek help early. If you or a loved one is suffering from harm caused by gambling, there are organisations that offer support and help. Some of them provide inpatient and residential treatment programmes, and others offer community services and online support.
People who are struggling with gambling can be reluctant to open up and discuss their problem. This can lead to isolation, which can make the problem worse. It can also lead to hiding their activity, which can have a negative impact on relationships with family and friends. In some cases, it can even lead to criminal convictions and financial ruin.
Some people who are struggling with gambling may deny that it’s a problem and continue to gamble, while others might try to hide their activities or lie about their spending. This can have a huge impact on relationships and families, and is particularly harmful for children.
Whether it’s casino games, sports betting or lottery games, all forms of gambling involve some degree of risk and are inherently addictive. A key to avoiding gambling harm is understanding and accepting that you will lose money, and keeping a clear head so that you can make good decisions. It is also crucial to balance your gambling with other hobbies and activities, and avoid gambling when you are feeling depressed or upset.
Setting a budget for how much you can spend on gambling is an important step to reducing your risks. It is also helpful to set a time limit for yourself before you go out and gamble, and leave when your time is up, regardless of whether you are winning or losing. Another important tip is to never gamble with money that you’ve allocated for other needs, such as rent or food. Also, avoid chasing your losses – chances are you’ll lose more money trying to win back what you’ve lost than you would have if you had just stopped gambling altogether.
