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Problem Gambling
by Jerry "Jet"
Whittaker
June 18, 2006
Beware of Gambling
There are different views on the sport of gambling. A
section of population feels that gambling is not good
and that it must be stopped. Others feel that gambling
is just a sport and if played with the right kind of
attitude will not be harmful. This is where the problem
lies. As people play more they get addicted to it and
then the problem begins. Problem gambling has risen
tremendously with an increase in the number of people
involved in gambling.
What is Problem Gambling and its Effects
Problem gambling refers to as patterns of gambling
behavior that compromise, disturb or destroy personal,
family or vocational aims and achievements. Pathological
gambling is the most extreme form of problem gambling.
Pathological gambling means that the individual loses
control over the extent of gambling. The individual
suffers huge losses; he starts lying and begins to
become deceptive. His family life also suffers
adversely. He becomes lethargic in his work with work
productivity declining immensely and work results also
becoming negative. He suffers huge financial losses with
the individual becoming bankrupt.
There are other extremely dangerous effects of problem
gambling like a high incidence of addictive disorders
among problem gamblers. Especially, there is significant
rise in alcohol and substance abuse. Furthermore,
another extremely grave effect of problem gambling is
that such problem gamblers have high rates of
cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease. There is
also a great risk of suicides among problem gamblers
with very high suicide rates being observed among them.
The society overall suffers due to problem gambling.
This includes the disintegration of families, decrease
in productivity, and increase in criminal activity, and
financial problems. These problems lead to increase in
the responsibilities of the State and rise in its social
service activities and cost for eradicating problem
gambling.
In the Years to Come…
Problem gambling
is certainly going to remain and may probably even rise,
which is a great cause for concerns. To eradicate this
problem it is essential to have several training
programs for mental health professionals, gaming
industry representatives, criminal justice system
personnel, and state agency personnel.
The most important part of solving this problem is a
need for increased public awareness and education
programs on the subject of problem gambling. The youth
is a large section comprising of problem gamblers. Thus
there is a great necessity for an increase in education,
awareness and prevention programs specifically targeted
for teenagers and young adults.
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