Why Bother With Responsible Service of Gambling? The Personal Impacts of Gambling Addiction
When games stop being funny…
Obviously, in most cases gambling only causes harm when you start to lose. Yet, the fact remains that most gamblers will lose most of the time, otherwise gaming providers would not be profitable (and therefore would not exist!). Responsible service of gambling provisions, through the QLD RSG and RCG in other states, help ensure that problem gambling behaviours are minimised, and the harm to families, children and individuals can be reduced. Today we look at some of the statistics and facts about the personal impacts of gambling addiction that have led governments across the country to institute responsible service of gambling regulations.
What Does ‘Harm’ Mean?
Losing any money obviously harms a person. But at what point does the harm start to become unacceptable? The University of Adelaide recently prepared a report called ‘Problem Gambling and Harm: Towards a National Definition’ that sought to answer this question, and noted that the Queensland Government Treasury definition used in QLD RSGs is probably the most useful one. This is:
“A range of adverse consequences where:
- The safety and wellbeing of gambling consumers or their family or friends are placed at risk, and/or
- Negative impacts extended to the broader community
We will look at some of the more definite or extreme examples of harm, but it is important to remember that legislation, and even guidelines for responsible service of gambling, have been difficult to create and enforce because of this difficulty in producing a clear definition. In regards to alcohol consumption, it can be determined with certainty when somebody is intoxicated. It cannot be as easily determined when somebody has a problem with gambling.
Criminal Behaviour
Problem gambling is a major contributor to criminal acts, including:
- Burglary
- Embezzlement
- Cheque forgery
- Other forms of fraud
Effects on Children
When gambling becomes a problem, people often exhibit patterns of addictive behaviours like highs and lows, anger and irrationality, that have a major effect on children. Kids may go without food because the gambling habit has used up all the household money, or ‘casino kids’ may be left in cars for hours while their parents gamble. Additionally, these children are far more likely to become problem gamblers themselves later in life.
Mental Health
In a South Australian study, 59% of problem gamblers scored in the clinical depression range, and around 15-20% of problem gamblers have had suicidal thoughts at some stage.
Relationships
The Productivity Commission’s national study on the effects of gambling found that 11% of respondents said that gambling had led to the breakup of an important relationship, with 9% experiencing a permanent separation.
Work
The same productivity Commission study found that around 20% of problem gamblers in the community have experienced disruptions to their work because of gambling.
Alcohol and Drugs
Alcohol and drug use often go hand in hand with problem gambling, though there is no evidence that one causes the other. Around 20% of problem gamblers are also alcohol abusers, and people under the influence of alcohol are more likely to gamble than sober people. Around 33% of regular gamblers are cigarette smokers, compared with about 20% of the general population, and about 15% of problem gamblers seeking help at a treatment facility also had problems with drug misuse. This is why venues employing people so often ask for both a Responsible Service of Alcohol and Responsible Service of Gambling (QLD RSG, or national RCG) before hiring.
About the Author
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