Gambling is a global health issue, and its impact is getting worse
International and Australian researchers are calling for greater global regulation of the gambling industry, which they say poses an increasing risk to health and well-being. A panel of experts reviewed the available research on gambling, and found that gambling-related risks include physical and mental health problems, suicide, domestic violence, crime and financial loss. they may be criticized, since many people now have a “casino in their pocket” on the phone to bet the options continue to grow. Researchers say online gambling may have a negative impact on young people, with advanced advertising and technology available to get people in and keep them gambling. Australian researchers involved say better regulation is especially needed in Australia, which spends more money on gambling than any other country.
Journal/conference: Lancet Public Health
Research: Paper
Organizations: University of New South Wales, Monash University, University of Melbourne, Federation University Australia
Sponsor: We acknowledge funding from the Wellcome Trust, in partnership with the Humanities and Social Sciences awarded to HW (grant 20036). The National Drug and Alcohol Research Center (NDARC) is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Health under the Drug and Alcohol Program. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the Australian Government. LD and MF were funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Program (grant APP1150078). LTT is supported by an NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship (RG212107) and an NDARC Higher Degree Research Scholarship. LD is supported by an NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellowship (APP1135991) and an NHMRC Investigator Grant (APP2016825).
Media coverage
From: The Lancet
Urgent global action is needed on the dangers of gambling, international experts say
The global health impact of commercial gambling is worse than previously understood and stronger regulatory action is needed, the Lancet Public Health Commission on gambling has found.
The commission included leading international experts in gambling studies, public health, global health policy, risk management and regulatory policy, including Monash University’s Associate Professor Charles Livingstone, with life experience of the dangers of gambling.
“Gambling poses a threat to public health, the regulation of which requires a significant expansion and strengthening of the regulation of the gambling industry,” the commissioners concluded after reviewing the available literature. and statistics derived from systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
The global call to action comes as the Australian Government continues to delay its decision on a series of recommendations for an all-party parliamentary inquiry into online gambling, led by the late Peta Murphy. The 31 unanimously supported proposals include banning all gambling advertising, and creating a National online gambling regulator.
The commission called for effective regulation of gambling in all countries, regardless of the legal status of gambling. This should include a reduction in the number of people and attendance at gambling, with restrictions or restrictions on access, promotion, advertising and financial support.
It also recommended accessible, comprehensive support and treatment for gambling injuries as well as extensive marketing and awareness campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers.
Professor Livingstone, from Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, is a member of the Commission and an expert in gambling research, and was a major contributor to the review, which was led by previously researchers at the University of Glasgow, UNSW Sydney and Harvard University.
“Australians spend the most money on gambling in the world, $AUD 1 555 per adult per year**,” said Associate Professor Livingstone. “Internet betting, boosted by the close relationship with football and other sports, and electronic gambling is growing rapidly here, despite the growing concern more and more ordinary people and the voice of those affected by the dangers of gambling is becoming more prominent.
“There is a desire for change and to properly treat gambling as a serious public health problem in Australia, given the scale and nature of the risk. However there is overwhelming evidence of dishonesty and behavior The illegal use of casino operators requires a Herculean effort to properly regulate these organizations, and the gambling industry as a whole has been shown to be resistant to reform efforts.
New figures released by the Commission show that the risks from gambling to global health and well-being are far worse than previously understood, with expected consumer losses to reach nearly $700 billion per year by 2028.
This is largely due to the rapid global expansion of mobile technology, and the digital revolution in the gambling industry.
A systematic review and analysis carried out for the Commission estimated that around 448.7 million adults worldwide have any gambling risk*, where people have at least one symptom of the behavior or negative personal, social or health consequences of gambling.
Of these, it is estimated that 80 million adults have a gambling problem * or a gambling problem *. Risks of gambling included physical and mental health problems, relationship breakdown, increased risk of suicide and domestic violence, increased crime rates, job loss and financial loss.
The new analysis also estimates that problem gambling* may affect 15.8 percent of adults and 26.4 percent of youth who gamble using online casinos or slot products, and 8.9 percent of people adults and 16.3 percent of youth gamblers use gambling. products.
The report noted that this effect was not spread evenly among the population. Specific groups face a greater risk of harm, including children and young people who were exposed to gambling advertisements on a regular basis in ways that were not seen before the digital revolution, especially those who and within socioeconomic groups. Gambling is often included in video games.
The Commission stressed that global leadership is needed to ensure that gambling is prioritized as a global public health issue. It wants United Nations agencies and intergovernmental organizations to include considerations on the dangers of gambling in their strategies and work plans to improve health and well-being.
The Commission also calls for a World Health Assembly resolution on the public health dimensions of gambling, and a new international agreement to advocate for reducing the harms of gambling and providing welfare. -first, created by people with life experience of gambling, professional organizations and researchers.
Commission co-chair Professor Heather Wardle, from the University of Glasgow, explained the evolution of gambling: “Most people think of a typical Las Vegas casino or buying a lottery ticket when they think of gambling. of money,” said Professor Wardle. “They don’t think about the big tech companies that use different methods to get many people to regularly interact with goods that can cause serious risks to life, but this is the reality of gambling today.
“Anyone with a cell phone now has access to what is essentially a casino in their pocket, 24 hours a day. Advanced marketing and technology make it easy to start and hard to stop gambling, and many brands now use design tools to encourage frequent and long-term engagement. The global growth trajectory of this industry is impressive; collectively we need to wake up and take action. If we delay, the dangers of gambling and gambling will become more widespread as a global phenomenon that is difficult to deal with.”
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