Gambling is any activity in which wealth changes hands, based mainly on chance and with a risk to the gambler. It can take many forms, including betting on sports events, lotteries, casino games (e.g. slot machines), scratchcards and card games. Its appeal is often based on desire for gain, a need for excitement and superstition. This type of activity glorifies money and personal desires over God. It breaches the 1st, 2nd and 10th commandments and is idolatry. The Bible warns that it is impossible to serve God and money (Matthew 6:24).
People with gambling harms often feel like they have no control over their gambling behaviour. They may also experience symptoms such as feelings of depression, anxiety or fear and changes to sleeping patterns. Some people who experience gambling harms even feel suicidal.
Gambling can also cause relationship issues with family and friends. It can result in lying, broken promises and skipping social activities. When this happens, loved ones can begin to feel ignored and resentful of the person’s gambling. The problem can worsen if a person is constantly missing important family events, weddings or birthdays.
Children can be particularly affected by a parent’s gambling problems. The stress of having to cope with financial difficulties, arguments and missed school/work can be detrimental to their mental health. Children can experience a sense of powerlessness or abandonment, and can become angry and depressed as a result of seeing their parents struggle. In extreme cases, a parent’s gambling can lead to financial hardship and neglect of family responsibilities, causing children not to have enough to eat or to be neglected altogether.
Some children will develop an unhealthy obsession with gambling and may start to believe that it is a normal part of life. They might think that it is their only way to win money and will continue to gamble in the hope of winning big. They might also start to steal money from family members or use credit cards to fund their gambling habits.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to addressing gambling harm. Psychotherapy can help to identify and modify damaging thinking, emotions and behaviour. It can also help to turn ambivalence about quitting into motivation and practical steps for change. There are a range of different types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing.
The first step in tackling a loved one’s gambling addiction is to set boundaries and request transparency with money. It is best not to pay off gambling debts or lend the person money. This can help to prevent the problem from getting out of hand. It is also a good idea to encourage them to find healthy ways of coping with boredom and negative emotions, such as exercise, spending time with friends who do not gamble, or taking up hobbies. It is also important to remember that gambling is a form of escapism, and that it is not an appropriate way to deal with feelings of loneliness, anger or depression.