Gambling is a popular activity which involves putting your money on an event, such as a football match, or buying a scratchcard. The chance of winning depends on a range of factors, including the odds set by the betting company. There are also lots of different types of gambling, such as lottery games and casinos.

Harm from gambling is a major public health concern. It can have a negative impact on a person’s physical, mental and social wellbeing, relationships and performance at work or study. It can also cause financial difficulties and even lead to homelessness.

The definition of harm is important as it helps to understand what the consequences are for individuals who engage in gambling and also the wider community, including family, friends, work colleagues and others affected by their behaviour. There is some debate about what is the best way to define harm.

Using behavioural indicators to measure harm is a common method used in the literature. These include indicators such as gambling behaviour, impulsivity and risk taking. However, these are not definitive and cannot be a precise indicator of the severity or degree of harm as they can be influenced by underlying problems such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse.

Another method for measuring gambling related harm is to look at the people who are affected by gambling and their experience of harm. These are known as informants and may be friends, family members or work colleagues. These informants can also be from a wide range of backgrounds and will often have experienced a range of gambling-related harms themselves.

These informants can be helpful in developing a framework for understanding harm and how to address it. They can help in terms of identifying the specific factors that are associated with harm and how these can be addressed, so that individuals can have a more successful recovery from their gambling-related behaviours.

The first level of harm identified was the erosion of the individual’s personal savings and financial resources. This can have an impact on the ability of the person who gambles to pay for essential items such as food and clothing. It can also impact on the capacity of the person who gambles to take part in discretionary activities, such as family outings and social events, as well as involvement in artistic, cultural, sporting or educational activities.

A second level of harm was the loss of control and a sense of being unable to make rational choices. This can occur in the form of a compulsion to engage in gambling and can have a negative impact on the person who gambles and their relationships.

Several informants reported feeling insecure and unsupported because of their gambling-related behaviours. These are common experiences for problem gamblers and can be exacerbated by underlying mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety.

These are very serious concerns, and should be taken seriously by the person who gambles or their support networks. They can be a trigger for further harm to the person who gambles, and also affect their relationships with others and their ability to pay for essential items.