The negative impact of gambling on communities has been documented in both the recreational/amusement sector and the retail sector. In particular, small businesses are often negatively affected by the expansion of casinos and increased staff turnover. Additionally, these businesses may see increased costs due to inflation, shop rents, and operating costs. These negative effects of gambling may not be as well-documented as the negative economic impact on communities. However, there are some positive effects of gambling on society.
These negative impacts on society are often ignored in gambling impact studies, despite their importance. Studies typically measure both the monetary costs and the social benefits of gambling, but neglect the negative social impacts. However, studies of problem gambling should consider these costs as well, since they are more likely to change the course of the community or individual’s life than any other type of cost or benefit. Therefore, it is important to understand both the positive and negative effects of gambling to help reduce the harm and benefit that it causes.
The negative impacts of gambling are also significant. While these negative impacts are most commonly discussed in alcohol and drug studies, they do not consider the positive benefits of gambling. These impacts affect people beyond the gambler themselves, including family members, friends, and work colleagues. Oftentimes, these negative effects have devastating effects on society, leading to homelessness and bankruptcy. But it is important to understand the impact of gambling on society before considering public policy and public health programs.
State and local governments collect a portion of the revenue generated by gaming, which is then used to fund government programs and activities. In the past decade, these governments collected more than $30 billion from state-sanctioned gambling. In fiscal year 2020, that revenue will be down to $30 billion. However, this may not be the case for much longer. More competition and more options for gambling may be sapping the state’s collection revenues.
Though a common past-time, gambling has become an addiction for some. For some, it is difficult to quit. In fact, compulsive gambling is one of the hardest addictions to break. States have different laws about gambling and have varied regulations for gambling. In Nevada, for example, gambling is legal while in Utah, gambling is prohibited. In states where gambling is legal, the industry is highly regulated. If you are a responsible gambler, the rewards will far outweigh any negative effects.
Although gambling has a negative impact on society, it also benefits a number of public services. However, fewer studies have examined the positive effects of gambling on gamblers. Nevertheless, health-related quality of life weights, sometimes referred to as disability weights, are an important tool for measuring the negative impacts of gambling. These weights are also important in identifying gambling harms on individuals’ social networks. Ultimately, this is important because gambling affects people and society at large.
