Gambling is a popular pastime, and for good reason. It can be fun, rewarding, and even relaxing. However, there are also dangers associated with gambling that many people may not realize. One such danger is gambling addiction. This condition results when someone becomes so addicted to gambling that it has negative effects on their life. In some cases, this can include financial difficulties, social isolation, and more. Given the growing popularity of gambling, it’s crucial that we raise awareness about the dangers of gambling and its impact on public health. GambleAware is an organization working to achieve just that. In this blog post, we will explore how GambleAware is working to raise awareness about the harms of gambling and why it’s an ‘urgent need’.
Gambling is a public health concern
Gambling is a public health concern. A recent report from the Government found that gambling harms the public health and costs UK society £1,047.8-£1,768.4 billion each year. The report calls for urgent action to be taken to raise awareness of the dangers of gambling, as well as providing support for people who are struggling with problem gambling.
There are many negative consequences of gambling, including:
• Impacts on family life – gambling can have a significant impact on family life, leading to problems such as financial stress and conflict.
• Increased risk of developing problems such as depression and addiction – people who gamble are more likely to develop problems such as depression and addiction.
• Financial instability – people who gamble often find themselves in financial difficulty, which can lead to difficulties in managing day-to-day life.
There are also physical consequences of gambling, including:
• Gambling can cause physical harm – including injuries related to playing games like poker or roulette, or from falling victim to scam schemes.
• Increased risk of heart disease and stroke – people who gamble are at an increased risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
The harms of gambling
There is an “urgent need to raise awareness” on the harms of gambling, according to GambleAware, a charity that campaigns against the negative effects of gambling.
The charity is hosting a public health summit in London this week, where it will be presenting new research highlighting how gambling can lead to serious problems such as debt, mental health issues and addiction.
It claims that problem gambling is now a public health concern, with around one in five people in the UK estimated to be affected.
GambleAware says that the harms of gambling are not just financial – but also physical and emotional. It has released new research which suggests that people who gamble regularly are three times more likely to develop problems such as obesity or heart disease.
It has called on the government to implement regulated betting schemes in order to help reduce problem gambling and protect public health.
How gambling harms public health
In the United States, gambling is considered a form of entertainment. However, gambling has been shown to be harmful to public health. A study done in the UK found that people who gambled were more likely to suffer from physical and psychological problems. Another study done in the US found that people who gambled were more likely to have problems with finances, relationships, and jobs.
There are many negative effects of gambling on public health. One of the most common is addiction. When people gamble, they often start to feel an attraction to the activity and become dependent on it. This can lead to problems such as financial difficulties and social isolation. Gambling also increases the chances of developing other addictions, such as alcohol or drug abuse.
Gambling also causes mental health problems. People who gamble often develop thoughts about death and disaster because they are constantly worried about losing money or not winning enough. This can lead to anxiety and depression, which can be very difficult to treat.
Gambling harms public health because it is a preventable problem. If people know about the risks associated with gambling, they may be less likely to gamble online or in person. It is important for society to raise awareness of the dangers of gambling so that we can address this issue before it becomes a bigger problem
What needs to happen for gambling harm to be addressed
There is an “urgent need” to raise awareness about gambling harm and public health concerns, according to a new report by GambleAware. The report, which was released on Monday, February 26th, 2018, highlighted that there is growing evidence that gambling can lead to significant problems such as addiction and financial ruin.
The report noted that gambling is the single largest source of problem gambling in the UK and it is also one of the most common forms of addictive behaviour. In fact, GambleAware estimates that around 2.5 million people in the UK are currently addicted to gambling.
The report urged policymakers and industry leaders to take action to address the risks associated with gambling harm. It called for greater regulation of the industry, as well as more funding for programs designed to help people who are struggling with their addiction to gambling.
GambleAware also called on lawmakers to establish a national commission tasked with studying the impact of gambling on society and public health. This commission would be responsible for developing policies aimed at reducing the harms caused by gambling.
Conclusion
Gambling is a huge business with billions of dollars being made every year, but it comes at a cost. In this article, we’re highlighting how gambling can harm public health and why it’s an urgent need to raise awareness about the dangers it poses. In the U.K., for example, there has been an increase in gambling-related diseases such as problem gambling and addictive behaviors, which has led to millions of pounds being wasted on pointless bets each year. With so much money at stake, we believe that more people must be informed about the risks before they ever consider taking part in this dangerous activity.