Gambling is a behavior in which people risk money or something of value on an event that is primarily decided by chance, such as playing the lottery or placing a bet on a sporting event. Some gamble for entertainment, while others do it to win money or avoid financial problems. In some cases, gambling may become an addiction and cause significant harms. Problematic gambling affects people from all walks of life, but is especially prevalent among those with low incomes who have more to lose and are more likely to develop a gambling disorder. The condition is more common in men than in women and typically arises during adolescence or early adulthood.
It is difficult to measure the impact of gambling because it is a complex activity with numerous externalities. Research has examined gambling impacts at the individual, interpersonal, and community/society level. These studies have used a variety of methodological approaches, such as cost-benefit analysis using health-related quality of life weights (commonly employed in alcohol and drug research), or monetary values assigned to intangible harms and benefits that are not directly measurable.
However, most of the available literature has centered on the negative impacts of gambling. Few studies have considered the social and community benefits of gambling, which are often overlooked when assessing the overall impact on society. These benefits include: