Although gambling has social, economic, and legal impacts, most studies of the topic focus on the economic costs. Social impacts of gambling have not been defined, but the authors of this article use the term to define the impact on society. The social costs of gambling refer to losses that are not personal but affect other people. This means that people who gamble end up harming others rather than themselves. These social costs should be considered in the design of future studies of gambling.
Social
Gambling is a common form of risk-taking, and social aspects such as conformity, self-regulation, and community play a role in determining whether or not individuals participate. Although institutions of normalization and self-understanding often seek to promote individual characteristics, they can also be harmful. For example, gambling and conformity often foster new definitions of character. However, there is a way to address these problems without affecting the gambling experience.
Economic
The economic consequences of gambling have been widely studied. There are extensive literatures on the social, health, and economic consequences of gambling. These studies, which were conducted by the Treasury and National Opinion Research Center, primarily focus on the economic costs and benefits of pathological gambling, which affects only 1% of all gamblers in a year. In addition, most studies lack information on household expenditures, a crucial component of economic impact studies.
Legal
The legal age to gamble in the United States is 21. The gambling industry in the United States has undergone many transformations since its inception. Gambling in America has changed drastically from the pre-revolution days, when a person had to be at least 18 years old. Today, most states allow some form of gambling, including horse racing and card games. Some states even allow online gambling. Below is a breakdown of legal gambling in the United States.
Religious
Among the many reasons Christians disapprove of gambling, many point to its irrational nature. Firstly, gambling appeals to our covetousness. We are taught in the Bible to love our enemies, as God commands us to. Second, gambling is an idolatry that violates the first, second, and tenth commandments, since it puts our own wants above the will of God. As a result, gambling does not promote our spiritual growth.
Overview
Gambling disorder affects individuals and society, both directly and indirectly. In addition to its financial cost, problem gambling is associated with higher rates of psychiatric and psychosomatic problems. The interpersonal costs of gambling addiction are difficult to quantify, but include problems with family, domestic violence, and child abuse. Problem gambling is an increasingly common occurrence in many countries, with more than 200 million people affected by the disorder. Those affected are at increased risk for social and economic problems, including bankruptcy.