While the economic impact of gambling has largely been documented, there are also negative effects associated with gambling. These include the effects on health, relationships, and job performance. Listed below are some of the most detrimental consequences of gambling. Also, we’ll discuss the social consequences of gambling. These impacts can have a direct impact on your personal life, and may be particularly detrimental to smaller businesses. Read on to learn more about the potential negative impacts of gambling.
Impacts of gambling on the economy
In the literature, the impacts of gambling on the economy have been broadly classified. They have been measured at three different levels: personal, interpersonal, and societal. Personal impacts include harms and benefits arising from problem gambling, as well as long-term costs. The social impacts of gambling range from the health of a gambler, to the cost and benefit of community institutions. Both types of social costs and benefits are a significant factor in determining the economic impact of gambling.
Economic impacts of gambling include increased revenue, tax revenue, and GDP. In some jurisdictions, the gaming industry has been a major source of employment, with the equivalent of one out of every eighty-three non-farm jobs. The impact on employment and the economy is substantial: one in eighty-three percent of the total number of jobs in the state of Oregon is directly related to the gambling industry. The gambling industry creates an estimated $1.1 billion in consumer surplus in the U.S. each year, which is equivalent to nearly $8 billion in revenue.
Impacts on health
Most gambling research follows a public health model. Researchers have sought to link common gambling screening instruments to health measures to determine the effects of gambling on individuals. Most government policy efforts are intended to reduce negative effects of gambling, while maximizing health utility for affected communities. Health utility decrements and aggregate changes in health utility are used to assess the effectiveness of gambling policy. But despite the shortcomings of these studies, they remain an important step in understanding the impact of gambling on health.
This research also sought to quantify the impact of gambling on health and wellbeing by comparing the outcomes of affected and non-affected participants. The SGHS and PGSI have similar performance in identifying health-utility decrements related to gambling. However, the two studies differ in the way they assess the harm caused by gambling. In contrast, the SGHS estimates the effects of gambling on the health of people who gamble heavily but have no gambling problems. This study was able to measure the impact of gambling on health using a model that approximated experimental random assignment.
Impacts on relationships
When a person starts to gamble, the consequences are profound. The addicted person may experience irritable moods, stress, secrecy, and arguments. Financial strains can also affect extended family members, friends, and co-workers. The emotionally neglected children of problem gamblers can also experience tension and stress as a result of their parents’ increased stress. In addition, the children of these addicted parents may become more prone to gambling themselves.
These negative consequences of gambling can extend to the partner. Although little research has looked at the perspectives of partners of gambling problem sufferers, this study offers some useful insights. In-depth interviews with 18 partners of gambling problem patients revealed that these individuals experienced a wide range of effects on their relationship. Financially, the gambling-related effects were significant and far-reaching. Some partners were forced to take on additional jobs to cover household expenses or pay off gambling debts.
Impacts on job performance
While legalized gambling has spread to all corners of the U.S., Native Americans continue to receive legal protections from casino gambling, even though the practice can lead to serious problems for workplaces and communities. Employees who cannot control their gambling can become distractions, lose productivity, and even become criminals. Their family members can be also be affected by their gambling, leading to even more problems at work. Fortunately, there are steps that employers can take to protect their employees from such problems.
Some studies have found that gambling has positive effects on the financial situation of people who are employed in the gaming industry. Many people employed in the gambling industry make higher salaries than those who don’t. However, very few studies have investigated the effects of gambling on personal labor performance. While most studies have focused on professional poker players, it is still unclear how gambling affects the performance of everyday employees. In any event, the benefits of gambling on the bottom line can be enormous.