What is gambling?
Gambling involves risking money or something of value on an outcome determined by chance.
It comes in many different forms and is not always easy to recognise, as it is not just one product or type, and can take place both online and in person.
While all gambling products carry a risk of harm, some are structurally designed to keep people engaged - such as online slots, fixed-odds terminals and online casinos.
What are the causes and impacts of gambling harm?
Gambling harms are the negative effects gambling can have on someone's life. Beyond just financial impact, they can severely affect mental and physical health, relationships, education and careers. These harms ripple outwards, often affecting the people around the individual.
Knowing what the effects look like is a vital first step for professionals to identify gambling harms. Key signs and symptoms include:
Persistent anxiety, restlessness, or insomnia
An inability to take pleasure in everyday activities
Experiencing suicidal thoughts or feeling a desire to be absent from the world
A continuous preoccupation with gambling, or an inability to stop despite wanting to
A constant need to check phones or devices
Severe worry regarding finances and/or debt
Feeling completely disconnected from loved ones and surroundings
It is crucial to recognise that the individual is not to blame. The gambling industry intentionally designs products to keep people engaged, normalising the risk through promotion. These harmful products can hijack the brain's natural reward systems, making it incredibly difficult for a person to walk away without the right support.
