The social costs and benefits of gambling have not been well studied. Most studies on gambling have considered economic costs and benefits, but few have looked at social impacts. However, Williams et al. and Walker and Barnett have defined social costs and benefits as harm to somebody or no one, i.e., harm that is social rather than personal.
Socially acceptable
Various factors influence the degree of public acceptance of gambling. Income, education, and religious preference are all associated with higher levels of acceptance. Those with a lower level of acceptance include Catholics, Mormons, and those who do not identify with any particular religion. While most Americans find gambling to be socially acceptable, some religious groups oppose the activity. For example, most evangelical denominations have long been against gambling.
Financially harmful
Financially harmful gambling involves behavior that causes someone to lose money. This behavior has many negative consequences, including reduced access to credit, stress, and diminished health. This article discusses the major aspects of financially harmful gambling and suggests ways to stop gambling.
Risk factor for homelessness
Gambling has long been a problem for the homeless, but few studies have investigated this issue. The Moving Ahead Program is one such program, offering services to homeless clients. However, administrators at the ministry were concerned that gambling could represent a blind spot in their work. To address this concern, they screened references of included studies to identify any related studies.
Risk factor for criminality
Gambling addiction is a common problem that has numerous causes, including financial problems. This study found that people with a gambling problem are more likely to be involved in crime. Researchers used latent class analysis and criminal career theory to examine the data. Their findings suggest that incarcerated individuals have a high risk of developing problem gambling.
Costs
Many economic costs associated with gambling include lost wages and employment. Other costs include medical and mental illness. People who gamble often experience chronic headaches and intestinal problems. These illnesses may require treatment and therapy. Gambling is also a source of financial loss, because of the possibility of embezzling funds or theft.
Benefits
Gambling can be beneficial for a local community. It can provide jobs and local recreation. It can also bring in revenues to the local economy, which in turn benefits the community. However, it is not always easy to quantify the direct benefits of gambling.